MIAMI (BN24) — Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas publicly criticized Major League Soccer’s suspension policy on Friday, calling it “draconian” after Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were ruled out of Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati for missing this week’s All-Star Game in Austin, Texas.
Major League Soccer confirmed that both players will serve a one-game suspension under its current policy, which states that any player who skips the midseason showcase without prior league approval becomes ineligible for their next club match.
Mas said the club, not the players, made the decision to withhold Messi and Alba from the All-Star Game in order to protect their fitness amid a congested schedule. He added that both were “extremely upset” by the league’s sanctions and felt blindsided by the disciplinary action.
“Obviously it was not a positive reaction,” Mas told reporters Friday. “They want to compete. They want to play games. That’s what they’re here for: to play and win. They understand the magnitude of tomorrow night’s game. So, the reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision. Who don’t understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension.”
Messi’s absence from the All-Star Game has stirred widespread debate, especially with Inter Miami in the midst of a heated MLS campaign. Mas said he hopes the issue does not sour ongoing contract talks with the Argentine star, whose current deal expires at the end of the 2025 season.
“He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected,” Mas said. “I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long-term. Will it have an impact initially, in the players’ perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely no doubt.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged the league’s enforcement of the policy was a “difficult decision,” especially considering Messi’s transformative influence on American soccer since his arrival.
“The most important thing is I know Leo Messi loves this league, and MLS is an entirely different league because of the years he’s been here helping to show the world what MLS is and what it’s capable of being,” Garber told The Athletic. “But unfortunately, we have a longstanding policy relating to player participation in the All-Star Game and we had to enforce that policy. It was a very, very difficult decision, but one I hope both he and everyone else can understand and respect.”
Garber added that the league would be reviewing the rule moving forward.
“We are going to take a very hard look at the rule,” he said. “It is important to all of our players and all of our fans that we have a policy that reflects and involves the realities of our league and its players going forward. I am committed to working with all of our players and to start working with Leo Messi to adapt this rule so it makes sense going forward.”
Mas maintained that Inter Miami’s decision was made with player welfare in mind, particularly with Messi and Alba navigating a rigorous schedule that includes domestic league matches, cup competitions, and international duties.
“I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian,” Mas said. “It’s a bad rule because I think it puts the players in an untenable position to have to choose between participating in an All-Star festivity, which is an exhibition match, or choosing a regular-season game that I think matters. And I admire both Lionel and Jordi for always thinking of club first.”
As Messi and Alba sit out Saturday’s crucial match, pressure is mounting on MLS to modernize its disciplinary framework, particularly for marquee players whose presence on the pitch directly drives ticket sales, TV ratings, and global attention.
Credit: ESPN
