Article by Dragoș Petrescu – published on Saturday, July 26, 2025, 09:53 / Updated on Saturday, July 26, 2025 10:00
Two of the most important team footballers Inter Miami, Lionel Messi (38 years old) and Jordi Alba (36 years old), were suspended for a stage in the Major League Soccer, after they were absent at the All-Star Game, a friendly match in which the best players in the American League, respectively the Mexican.
This match took place on Wednesday, July 23, and those in MLS won 3-1. Initially, both Leo Messi and Jordi Alba were voted by fans and the American press to be part of the lot, but the two did not participate in the event, despite the fact that they did not encounter medical problems.
Messi and Jordi Alba will be suspended for the match with Cincinnati
However, the decisions of the former superstars on Camp Nou have not remained unpardoned. Because they did not show up at the match on Wednesday, Messi and Alba were suspended for a stage in the internal championship. So, none of them will be on the field at the match with Cincinnati, which will take place on Sunday morning.
“According to the rules of the League, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval, cannot play in the next match of his club“, said MLS, in an official statement.
Also, Don Garber, President Major League Soccer sent a message expressed his admiration for Leo Messi, but also wanted to point out that no one is above the regulation.
I know he (no – Messi) loves this championship. No footballer has done more for the Major League Soccer than Messi, but the rules are clear and applied to everyone.
No player is above the regulation. I know that this was dissatisfied with him (no – Messi) and Jordi, but it was not an easy decision for us.
– Don Garber, President MLS
At this moment, Inter Miami is in the 5th position in the East Conference in MLS, seven points behind the leader Cincinnati, the team to face. However, the band prepared by Javier Mascherano has three less disputed matches, and if they win them, it will climb the first place.
