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Jorge Mas, the owner of Inter Miami, blasted Major League Soccer’s decision to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for a game.
Messi and Alba will be sideways for Inter Miami’s match against eastern conference -leading Cincinnati FC on Saturday.
Both players jumped over Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game in Austin, Texas, despite receiving enough votes. Major League All-Stars defeated League MX All-Stars 3-1.
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Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi in action against New York Red Bulls during the second half at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ, July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imag images)
But Mas claimed the league’s decision was a “draconian” punishment.
“They don’t understand the decision,” MAS said Friday. “They don’t understand why not participating in an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension.”
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Messi, the captain of Argentina’s team from the 2022 World Cup, cited the need to rest instead of competing in the All-Star game. Meanwhile, Alba dealt with a previous injury.
Mas said the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All-Star game.
Lionel Messi from Inter Miami waves to the crowd together with Jorge Mas, CEO of Inter Miami, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., July 20, 2024. (Scott McIntyre/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to MLS rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star game without prior approval from the league is not entitled to compete in his club’s next match.
Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi looks up in the second half against New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ, July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imag images)
Messi and Alba, together with the club, rehearsed on Friday in anticipation of playing in Saturday’s match before MLS announced the suspension.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “I don’t think there’s a player – or anyone – who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I understand, respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-term policy on participation in the All-Star game and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.”
Garber added that the league will reassess the policy and work with players to “determine how the rule should develop.”
Mas said Inter Miami expressed his disagreement about the suspension and rule. MAS also noted that there were six MLS games on Friday night, less than 48 hours after an all-star game.
“That’s not right,” Mas said. “That’s not right for the players.”
