Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, two marquee stars of Inter Miami, have each been suspended for one league match after failing to take part in Wednesday’s 2025 MLS All‑Star Game in Austin. Their absence from the event came without prior approval from Major League Soccer, triggering the league’s established policy that enforces such a suspension.
Context of the Incident
Both Messi and Alba were selected to play in the MLS All‑Star Game, which pits MLS All‑Stars against Liga MX All‑Stars. Despite being healthy and listed on the roster, they did not participate in the match, leading to formal disciplinary action.
Why They Missed the Game
According to Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, Messi sat out due to fatigue from an unusually congested schedule—Inter Miami had played nine matches over 36 days—while Alba was managing a knock from a prior fixture. The decision to rest the duo was made by the club, not by the players themselves, as emphasized by club co‑owner Jorge Mas.
League’s Response
MLS has a long-standing rule: any player selected to the All‑Star Game who does not participate without explicit authorization from the league is automatically deemed ineligible for their club’s next match. Commissioner Don Garber stated that despite Messi’s enormous contributions to MLS, the policy had to be upheld uniformly. However, he also acknowledged the need to reevaluate the rule in consultation with players and teams.
Club Backlash
Inter Miami’s leadership strongly criticized the suspension. Owner Jorge Mas called the punishment “draconian”, arguing that players were penalized for decisions made by the club in the interest of player health and performance. He noted the absence of an appeals process and warned that crucial stakeholders—including fans and sponsors—were harmed by the ruling.
Messi himself was described as “extremely upset” by the suspension, echoing the club’s frustration over the inflexibility of the regulation.
Implications for Inter Miami
As a direct consequence of the suspensions, neither Messi nor Alba will be available for Inter Miami’s MLS matchday 27 fixture against Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati, scheduled for Saturday, July 26, 2025. This comes at a critical juncture, as Miami trail Cincinnati by only a few points in the standings and hoped to field their stars to close the gap.
Losing Messi—who has already scored 18 goals this season—and Alba for one match represents a significant competitive hit. It also raises broader issues about how MLS handles rest and fixture congestion amid its expanding global ambitions.
What’s Next
This incident has crystallized a tension between league promotional priorities and clubs’ operational realities. MLS Commissioner Garber has confirmed that the league will conduct a “hard look” at the policy, engaging with players to explore how the rule could evolve to reflect player workloads better.
For Inter Miami, the suspension may serve as a flashpoint toward broader discussions: balancing marquee events like the All‑Star Game with the physical demands of a packed season, especially for teams competing in multiple competitions.
Conclusion
In summary, Messi and Alba’s one-match bans stem from their unapproved absence from the MLS All‑Star Game. While the league has followed its regulations to the letter, the controversy underscores a growing need to reassess how such policies align with player welfare, club strategies, and the expectations of a diversifying audience. Comments from Garber suggest that changes may be on the horizon—though exactly what form they’ll take remains to be seen.
