Overview
Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced one-match suspensions for key players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. The disciplinary action follows their decision to skip the All-Star game that recently took place in Austin, where the MLS All-Stars emerged victors against Liga MX All-Stars, ending 3-1.
Suspension Details
According to league rules, players must participate in the All-Star game if chosen and healthy unless they receive prior authority to miss it. However, on the actual day of the game, Inter Miami shocked fans by revealing that both players would not participate. The league promptly released:
“Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s 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.”
Translation: “Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be absent for the club’s upcoming game against FC Cincinnati due to not attending the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. According to league regulations, players who miss the All-Star Game without prior consent are barred from playing in their team’s next match.”
Previous Instances
This isn’t the first time players faced penalties for missing the All-Star match. Back in 2018, renowned player Zlatan Ibrahimovic was similarly suspended for not attending while with the Los Angeles Galaxy. This current suspension arrives at a critical juncture with Inter Miami gearing up to face FC Cincinnati, particularly after previously suffering a 3-0 defeat to the same opponent prior to the All-Star break.
Coach’s Comments
Head coach Javier Mascherano revealed that while Alba had suffered a minor injury, Messi was in good shape but dealing with fatigue worries arising from the team’s extensive playing schedule. He stated:
“He showed normal fatigue from the games and minutes we’ve logged.”
Translation: “He showcased typical tiredness from the matches and time we’ve spent playing.”
Inter Miami has participated in numerous tournaments this season, leading to one of the highest number of matches played in the league.
What Lies Ahead for MLS
With the growing consideration of aligning MLS schedules with European leagues, this incident raises questions regarding how the All-Star game should be managed moving forward. It’s crucial for the league to maintain player participation while also ensuring adequate rest.
Conclusion
The MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, acknowledged the need to evaluate current participation rules more thoroughly in light of the situation. He remarked,
“We are going to take a very hard look at the rule moving forward. It is important to all of our players and all of our fans that we have a policy that reflects and meets the realities of our league and its players going forward.”
Translation: “We will closely examine the rule going ahead. It’s essential for our players and fans that we establish a policy fitting the realities of our league and its athletes moving forward.”
