Lionel Messi recently served his one-match ban in Major League Soccer for his absence from the All-Star match last week.
Along with Messi, Inter Miami star Jordi Alba was also absent from the MLS All-Star Game against Mexico’s Liga MX, and both had to sit out the Herons’ league clash against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
A statement from the MLS announced Messi and Alba’s suspension, citing the regulations. It read,
“Inter Miami CF defender Jordi Alba and forward Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s Matchday 27 game against FC Cincinnati on Saturday evening, due to their absence at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game.”
“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.”
Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano informed reporters on Friday that Messi’s absence from the MLS All-Star game was due to fatigue, and Alba picked up a knock in their previous league match.
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During a press conference, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas mentioned that Messi is ‘very upset’ with the one-match ban and said,
“Lionel Messi is very upset, like we all are in the club, with the fact that they won’t be able to play tomorrow night. But I think what we have to do as a club is to get together as one, have an attitude that is us against the world. I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian,” as per ESPN.
While the Herons stand supportive of Messi and are against the decision of the suspension, Former USMNT star and LA Galaxy president Alexi Lalas appears to share a different opinion.
Lalas also criticized Messi, referring to the situation and the Argentine icon’s reaction as ‘ridiculous.’
What did MLS club president Alexi Lalas say about Lionel Messi?
While speaking on his State of the Union podcast, Lalas pointed out the importance of the All-Star games in the United States and said,
“Fascinating in the way that it has been handled and the reaction to it. We all have either been involved or grown up watching All-Star games and the phenomenon of All-Star Game when it comes to multiple sports here. It’s very normal for us,” as per The Mirror.
Lalas then shared his thoughts on Messi’s suspension and the situation that developed around it, mentioning that the 38-year-old star needs to ‘grow up’ and ‘participate’ as his contract with Inter Miami entails.
“But I will say that the framing that is happening right now of Messi as some saint, waging some righteous fight against the perceived evils and ills of MLS and its structure, or even the very concept of an MLS All-Star game.”
“That’s a little rich, and that’s a little ridiculous. He signed his contract. He knew that playing in the All-Star game was part of his contract. So he knew the rules. So Messi, you need to grow up. You need to participate.”
“And if you didn’t want to play in the All-Star game, you had the leverage at the moment you were signing your contract, and you should have negotiated for that.”
Inter Miami were on the receiving end of a goalless draw against Cincinnati in their last league clash.
Messi & Co. are set to face Atlas in their first match of the Leagues Cup group stage on July 30 at Chase Stadium.
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