MLS commissioner, Don Garber, said that the League had no choice but to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Inter Miami’s home match against the Cincinnati leaders on Saturday as a punishment for missing the stars match on Wednesday.
The players who are missing the match without approval of the League receive a ban on a match, with the top scorer of Miami and defensive player of the year in 2024 now released from a revenge match against the only opponents to have beaten the Herons in their last eight championship games, extending more than two months.
Speaking before the announcement of the suspensions, the manager of Miami, Javier Mascherano, described the timing of the MLS star match, who forced Messi and Alba to go back and forth of more than 2200 miles, like “crazy”.
“Unfortunately, we have a long -standing policy regarding participation in the star game, and we had to apply it,” said Garber, via Miami Herald.
“It was a very difficult decision. That said, we will carefully examine politics in the future. I agree to work with our players to determine how the rule should evolve. ”
Why are Messi and Alba suspended?
The MLS must authorize the players to miss the match – that their team won 3-1 against a team of stars of the Mexican elite of the Liga MX – for reasons such as injuries.
Mascherano said Alba had suffered a blow, but Messi suffered from “discomfort” rather than injury.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” said Garber. “I don’t think there is a player – or someone – who did more for Major League Soccer than Messi.
“I understand perfectly, respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.”
Inter Miami: Mascherano Questions Hours
Mascherano questioned the moment of the show between MLS lighting. “If they want to do this type of event, it’s great to do it,” he said, adding that there was “not enough rest” for the players.
“It’s great for the league [but it] should not be [on] A date in the [regular] calendar. It’s crazy. We have played four of the last five games.
“We have played practically every three days. The first thing we have to think is that football belongs to players. And if football belongs to players, without players, it does not exist.”
Lionel Messi Banned vs cincinnati
At the age of 38, Messi played every minute in 22 of the last 23 Miami games in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in six of their last MLS games, including a series of five games in a row.
Messi and Alba returned to training on Friday and were to be in the start of Miami against Cincinnati, who has seven points in front of them.
Miami has three games in hand because of their involvement in the FIFA 2025 club World Cup in June.
Shield winners of the supporters last season played five games in 14 days from July 5, including a 3-0 defeat in Cincinnati on July 16 – the only match along the way in which Messi did not score.
How to watch Inter Miami V Cincinnati: live broadcast, television channel
The kick -off on Saturday will take place at 7:15 pm (16:15 pt on Saturday / 00:15 BST Sunday), with live coverage available via the MLS season pass on Apple TV +.
In the United States, a subscription costs $ 14.99 per month or $ 69 per season. Existing Apple TV + subscribers pay $ 12.99 per month or $ 59 in the season.
Lionel Messi statistics
Messi is the MVP in title of the MLS, without a player in the league by exceeding his 18 goals before the last series of games.
The eight time the winner of the Ballon d’Or has recovered from the defeat to Cincinnati by scoring twice and fixing another goal during his 5-1 victory in New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Miami is fifth of the Eastern Conference, having scored 10 more goals than Cincinnati and seven more than any other part this season.
Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi remains the most prominent player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an optional year as an option in his Miami contract.
Addressing Marca after the announcement of Messi’s arrival in July 2023, the owner manager of Miami, Jorge Mas, said that the quadruple winner of the Champions League would win up to $ 60 million a year.
Messi’s alleged salary up to $ 20.4 million is considerably more than any other player in the United States and is increased with heaviness by holding capital in the club and payments from Apple League broadcasters.
Lionel Messi Inter Miami record
The club was formed by a group including the former captain of England David Beckham in 2018 and made Messi one of the most prestigious MLS signatures of all time five years later, winning their first trophy with the help of the eight times the winner of the Ballon d’Or and Uruguay of all time, Luis Suarez, when they triumphed in the 2023 Ligous.
During his first complete campaign with the club, Messi has an average MLS record for 2.18 goal contributions by 90 minutes in 2024 to help Miami win the shield of their first supporters.
He has 24 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions in 2025, the former Argentinian midfielder Mascherano taking over as a boss before the start of the season.
