Miami International co-owner Jorge Mas warned that Lionel Messi was angry at the MLS for being punished for “long-term impact” for lack of the All-Star game on Wednesday.
Messi, who has won the league’s most eye-catching player so far, has been banned from Miami’s key home game against leader Cincinnati on Saturday, and made a decision with leader Cincinnati on Saturday in a decision with MLS Commissioner Don Garber on Saturday.
“Leo Messi was very upset,” said Guillem Balague, a reporter for Messi’s biographer. “I hope it doesn’t have a long-term impact.
“He is very, very angry, but we have to unite into an entity. We are against the world and we have to reflect the world in our performance in the second half of the year.”
Why is Lionel Messi paused?
MLS must allow players to miss the game – their team won the game 3-1 with the All-Star team of Mexico’s top flight The Liga MX, for the reason for the injury.
Miami manager Javier Mascherano said Wideman Alba suffered a knock on the door, but Messi suffered “discomfort” instead of injury.
“Will that affect his view of the league and its rules? No doubt,” Maas said.
“Lionel is different from everyone else. He wants to play in a competitive game.”
Messi Suspension: What does MLS say?
Garber said the league had no choice after announcing the suspension on Friday, with the rule that players who skip games without permission would receive a ban on one game.
Now Miami’s Amulets and their 2024 Defensive Player of the Year are now excluded from the match against the only opponent who beat Herons in the last eight league games, spanning more than two months.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-term policy to play in the All-Stars and we have to enforce it,” Garber said through the Miami Herald.
“It’s a very difficult decision. That said, we’ll look at this policy carefully and I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rules should develop.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t think there is more player or anyone to do for the Major League Baseball.
“I fully understand, respect and appreciate his commitment to Miami, and I respect his decision.”
Lionel Messi, Miss Jordi Alba MLS All-Star Game
Miami manager Javier Mascherano spoke before announcing the suspension, describing the timing of the MLS All-Star Game as “crazy.”
“It would be great if they want to attend this type of event,” he said, adding that for players, “not enough rest.”
“This is great for the league [but it] It shouldn’t be [on] Dating [regular] schedule. Too crazy. We’ve played four of the last five games.
“We’re playing almost every three days. The first thing we have to consider is that football belongs to the player. If football belongs to the player and there is no player, it doesn’t exist.”
Lionel Messi bans Cincinnati
Messi, who was 38, played every minute in 22 of Miami’s last 23 games, scored at least two goals in six of the last seven MLS games, including five straight games.
Messi and Alba returned to training on Friday and are expected to lead them by 7 points in Miami’s start against Cincinnati.
Miami has three games on hand as they participate in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June.
The shield winner of last season’s supporters has played in five games in 14 days since July 5, including a 3-0 victory in Cincinnati on July 16, the only game Messi has scored without a score.
How to watch Inter Miami V Cincinnati: Live, TV Channel
Saturday’s kickoff time is 19:15 ET (16:15 PT on Saturday/Saturday 00:15 BST), and real-time coverage is available on Apple TV+ via the MLS Season Pass.
In the United States, subscriptions are priced at $14.99 per month or $69 per quarter. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per month or $59 per quarter.
Lionel Messi Statistics
Messi is an MLS MVP with no player in the league having 18 goals before the latest round.
He recovered from his defeat in Cincinnati by scoring two points, scoring in Saturday’s 5-1 victory with the New York Red Bulls.
Miami is fifth in the Eastern Conference, with 10 more goals than Cincinnati and seven more goals than any other aspect of the season.
Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi is still on the world’s side by side with Cristiano Ronaldo, his Miami contract with an additional contract.
Speaking to Marca after Mesi, first announced in July 2023, MAS said that the four-time Champions League champions will earn up to $60 million a year.
Messi allegedly paid a salary of up to $20.4 million, much higher than any other player in the U.S. and increased by maintaining equity in the club and payments from the league broadcaster Apple.
The great man of the sport talked about his happiness in Miami and suggested he would sign a contract.
Lionel Messi International Miami Records
The club was founded in 2018 by including former England captain David Beckham, five years later making Messi one of the most prestigious MLS signings of all time, winning their first trophy at eighth-time Ballon d’Or D’Or D’Or D’Or and Uruguay’s top scorer Luis Suarez.
Messi contributed an average of 2.18 goals per 90 minutes in his first full campaign with the club to help Miami win the shield of their first supporter.
He has 24 goals and eight assists in 29 games in all 2025, with former Argentine midfielder Mascherano taking over as the boss before the start of the season.
