Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were handed a one-match sanction for skipping Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, the league announced Friday afternoon.
Both players were voted into the showcase by the fans and media but neither featured in the MLS squad’s 3-1 win against the Liga MX All-Stars.
“Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game,” the league said in a statement. “Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.”
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano pointed out Friday morning that his team had “played the most games so far this semester, by far” and that Messi “showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing,” per ESPN.
“Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. But luckily, (Messi) is returning today,” Mascherano said.
Messi, 38, shares the MLS lead with 18 goals and has 10 assists in 17 league matches this season. The Argentine forward also made six starts in the Concacaf Champions Cup and four in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Alba, 36, has one goal and eight assists in 18 MLS matches. The Spanish defender made seven starts in the Champions Cup and one in the Club World Cup.
–Field Level Media
