Inter Miami CF stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will miss Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati after skipping the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval. The league announced the sanctions on Friday afternoon, citing its policy that any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without permission is ineligible to compete in their next match.
According to MLS commissioner Don Garber, the decision was difficult and came down due to the players’ heavy workload this season. Messi has played 90 minutes in every Inter Miami game since April 30, including nine games since June 14, while Alba took a knock in Miami’s last game but was rested for fatigue issues.
Garber acknowledged that Messi’s decision not to attend the All-Star Game is understandable, given his commitment to Inter Miami and the league. However, the commissioner emphasized that the league must enforce its policy to ensure consistency and fairness among players. He plans to review the rule and potentially adapt it for future years to accommodate players’ heavy schedules.
The suspension has sparked concerns about its impact on the game’s popularity and commercial benefits. Messi is widely regarded as the league’s biggest draw, with a new “Player Spotlight” TikTok broadcast set to return next season featuring the Argentine superstar.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6515641/2025/07/25/messi-jordi-alba-suspended-mls-all-star-game-miami-cincinnati