Messi and Alba Suspended for Missing MLS All-Star Match

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game this week, the league announced on Friday. MLS stated that Messi and Alba will not be available for Saturday's match against FC Cincinnati due to their absence at the All-Star event. According to league rules, players who do not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval are ineligible for their club's next match.

Messi and Alba were selected to play for a combined MLS team in Wednesday's game against a Liga-MX team but withdrew from the event early on Wednesday for undisclosed reasons. This last-minute decision led to both players facing suspension as per MLS regulations, which require selected players to participate unless they have a valid reason like an injury.

MLS commissioner Don Garber described the suspension as a difficult decision, acknowledging Messi's contributions to the league and expressing respect for his commitment to Inter Miami. Garber mentioned that the league will review its policy on All-Star participation in the future and acknowledged the challenging schedule faced by Messi in recent weeks.

Mascherano, Miami's coach, had indicated earlier that he would have preferred Messi and Alba to be excused from All-Star duties. The league is committed to working with players to evolve the rule and manage scheduling challenges faced by teams like Miami.