MLS Commissioner Don Garber says the league had no choice but to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Inter Miami’s home match against leaders Cincinnati on Saturday as punishment for missing the All-Star Game on Wednesday.
Players who miss the game without league approval receive a one-match ban, with Miami’s top scorer and Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 now ruled out of a rematch against the only opponents to have beaten the Herons in their last eight league matches, spanning more than two months.
Speaking before the suspensions were announced, Miami manager Javier Mascherano described the timing of the MLS All-Star Game, which required Messi and Alba to make a round trip of more than 2,200 miles, as “crazy”.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it,” said Garber, via the Miami Herald.
“It was a very difficult decision. That said, we’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward. I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve.”
Why are Messi and Alba suspended?
The MLS has to give permission for players to miss the game – which their team won 3-1 against an All-Star team from Mexican top flight the Liga MX – for reasons such as injuries.
Mascherano said Alba had suffered a knock but Messi was suffering from “discomfort” rather than injury.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” said Garber. “I don’t think there’s a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi.
“I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.”
Inter Miami: Mascherano questions schedule
Mascherano questioned the timing of the spectacle in between MLS fixtures. “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 players.
“It’s great for the league [but it] shouldn’t be [on] a date in the [regular] schedule. It’s crazy. We’ve played four of the last five games away.
“We’ve been playing practically every three days. The first thing we have to think about is that football belongs to the players. And if football belongs to the players, without players, it doesn’t exist.”
Lionel Messi banned vs Cincinnati
At the age of 38, Messi has played every minute in 22 of Miami’s last 23 games in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in six of their last seven MLS games, including a run of five straight.
Messi and Alba returned to training on Friday and were expected to be in Miami’s starting side against Cincinnati, who are seven points ahead of them.
Miami have three matches in hand because of their involvement in the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in June.
Last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners played five matches in 14 days from July 5, including a 3-0 defeat at Cincinnati on July 16 — the only game along the way in which Messi did not score.
How to watch Inter Miami v Cincinnati: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:15 ET (16:15 PT on Saturday / 00:15 BST on Sunday), with live coverage available through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.
In the US, a subscription costs $14.99 a month or $69 a season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $59 a season.
Lionel Messi stats
Messi is the reigning MLS MVP, with no player in the league outscoring his 18 goals before the latest round of matches.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recovered from the defeat to Cincinnati by scoring twice and setting up another goal in their 5-1 win at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Miami are fifth in the Eastern Conference, having scored 10 more goals than Cincinnati and seven more than any other side this season.
Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi remains the most high-profile player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an optional extra year in his Miami contract.
Speaking to Marca after Messi’s arrival was first announced in July 2023, Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said the four-time Champions League winner would earn up to $60 million a year.
Messi’s purported playing salary of up to $20.4m is considerably more than any other player in the US and is heftily increased by holding equity in the club and payments from league broadcasters Apple.
Lionel Messi Inter Miami record
The club was formed by a group including former England captain David Beckham in 2018 and made Messi one of the most prestigious MLS signings of all time five years later, winning their first trophy with the help of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Uruguay all-time top scorer Luis Suarez when they triumphed in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
In his first full campaign with the club, Messi averaged an MLS-record 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 to help Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield.
He has 24 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions in 2025, with former Argentina midfielder Mascherano taking over as boss before the start of the season.
