MLS commissioner Don Garber said the league had no choice but to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for home games against Cincinnati at Miami International as he was punished for missing the All-Star Game on Wednesday.
Players who missed a match without a league-approved game will receive a ban on one game, Miami’s top scorer and 2024’s defensive player of the year are now ruled out against the only opponent to beat Herons in the last eight league games, accounting for more than two months.
Miami manager Javier Mascherano spoke before announcing the suspension, describing the timing of the MLS All-Star game, requiring Messi and Alba to travel more than 2,200 miles a round trip for “crazy.”
“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.”
Why are Messi and Alba suspended?
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.
Mascherano said Alba suffered a knock on the door, but Messi was suffering from “discomfort” rather than injury.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” Garber said. “I don’t think there is more player or anyone else than Messi does for Major League Baseball.
“I fully understand, respect and appreciate his commitment to Miami, and I respect his decision.”
Miami International: Mascherano issue schedule
Mascherano questioned the wonder time between the MLS fixtures. “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 U.S., 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.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or champion returned to Cincinnati on Saturday with another goal of a 5-1 victory with the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Miami ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference, 10 goals higher than Cincinna 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.
Messi first announced in a speech to Marca after her arrival in July 2023, Miami executor Jorge Mas said that the four-time Champions League champions 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.
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.
