Major League Soccer (MLS) has suspended Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the league’s All-Star events this week.
The duo were selected to play in the 2024 MLS All-Star Game but failed to show up for both the All-Star Skills Challenge on Tuesday and the match against Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday.
According to MLS rules, players who miss All-Star events without permission are subject to automatic suspension. On Friday, the league confirmed that Messi and Alba will each serve a one-match ban.
This means the pair will not be available for Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday night.
Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, expressed disappointment over the ruling. “Messi is extremely upset about this decision,” he said. “I don’t agree with the rule and I’ve made my views known to the commissioner.”
The suspension is a setback for Inter Miami, who are chasing a playoff spot in the MLS Eastern Conference. Messi, a World Cup winner with Argentina, joined the club in 2023 and has since become one of the league’s biggest attractions.
Alba, his former Barcelona teammate, also joined Inter Miami last year.
