Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba won’t be suiting up for the MLS All-Star Game this year and that decision might cost Inter Miami dearly.
Both stars were selected to represent MLS against Liga MX’s finest in Wednesday’s showcase in Austin, Texas. But they’ve skipped the festivities entirely. No skills challenge. No match. No explanation.
And now? According to MLS rules, unless a player is injured, skipping the All-Star Game means an automatic suspension for the next league match.
That next game? A blockbuster clash against Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati the same side that humbled Miami 3-0 last time out. Talk about high stakes.
It’s not just any absence, either. This All-Star Game has evolved over the years from East vs West to dream matchups against global giants like Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Since 2018, it’s been MLS vs Liga MX: pure spectacle, pure pride. Messi and Alba missing out is a gut-punch to fans, and likely a major frustration for the league.
Inter Miami are in a packed schedule already, having played five games in July and with the Leagues Cup kicking off next week. Fatigue is real, no doubt. But rules are rules and stars skipping marquee events don’t get a pass, no matter how legendary they are.
This isn’t the first time, either. Zlatan Ibrahimovic did the same in 2018, got suspended, and called it “ridiculous.” But as Zlatan put it, “They do whatever they want. I come from the real world.”
Now it’s Messi and Alba’s turn. Inter Miami will feel the heat and MLS? Well, they just benched the two biggest names in American soccer. Wild.
