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Jorge Mas, the proprietor of Inter Miami, blasted Major League Soccer’s determination to droop Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for one recreation.
Messi and Alba will probably be sidelined for Inter Miami’s match towards Japanese Convention-leading Cincinnati FC Saturday.
Each gamers skipped Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game in Austin, Texas, regardless of receiving sufficient votes. The foremost league All-Stars defeated the Liga MX All-Stars 3-1.
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Inter Miami CF ahead Lionel Messi in motion towards the New York Pink Bulls throughout the second half at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Pictures)
However Mas asserted the league’s determination was a “draconian” punishment.
“They don’t perceive the choice,” Mas stated Friday. “They don’t perceive why not attending an exhibition match leads on to a suspension.”
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Messi, the captain of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup champion staff, cited the necessity to relaxation as a substitute of competing within the All-Star recreation. In the meantime, Alba was coping with a earlier harm.
Mas stated the membership made the choice for Messi and Alba to take a seat out of the All-Star Sport.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami waves to the gang alongside Jorge Mas, managing proprietor of Inter Miami, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., July 20, 2024. (Scott McIntyre/Bloomberg through Getty Pictures)
In accordance with MLS rules, any participant who doesn’t take part within the All-Star Sport with out prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in his membership’s subsequent match.
Inter Miami CF ahead Lionel Messi appears to be like up throughout the second half towards the New York Pink Bulls at Sports activities Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Pictures)
Messi and Alba practiced with the membership Friday in anticipation of taking part in in Saturday’s match earlier than MLS introduced the suspension.
“I do know Lionel Messi loves this league,” stated MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “I don’t assume there’s a participant — or anybody — who has executed extra for Main League Soccer than Messi. I totally perceive, respect and admire his dedication to Inter Miami, and I respect his determination.
“Sadly, we’ve a long-standing coverage concerning participation within the All-Star Sport, and we needed to implement it. It was a really tough determination.”
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Garber added that the league will reevaluate the coverage and work with gamers to “decide how the rule ought to evolve.”
Mas stated Inter Miami expressed its disagreement over the suspension and the rule. Mas additionally famous there have been six MLS video games Friday night time, lower than 48 hours after an All-Star Sport.
“That’s not proper,” Mas stated. “That’s not proper to the gamers.”
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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