Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba left his 'extreme upset' after they have received a ban from one match for missing the MLS All-Star game of this week.
The former Barcelona stars, who made the switch to Florida together in the summer of 2023, was expected on Wednesday for an MLS team against Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas.
However, they both missed the luminaire, in which the MLS side had 3-1 victors, with Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano who later revealed that Messi was suffering from fatigue, while Alba had picked up a knock.
But their absence was not approved by the competition, which made both stars liable for sanction.
The MLS announced their ban on one match on Friday with a statement: “Inter Miami CF defender Jordi Alba and Forward Lionel Messi will not be available for the club 27 match against FC Cincinatti on Saturday evening, because of their absence on the 2025 ML all-star game.”
With Miami only seven points from manager leaders Cincinatti, the decision of the competition leaves the side of Mascherano without two of their most influential players for a crucial match.
Messi and Alba were left by the prohibition 'Extreme upset', said Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas in response to the announcement yesterday.
'The reaction was exactly as expected of two competitive players who do not understand the decision, who do not understand why not attending an exhibition directly leads to a suspension.
“The rule is what it is, but they don't understand. I think the punishment for the role is frankly is draconic.
'I hope it has no impact in the long term. Will it initially have an impact, in the perception of the players about how the competition rules work? Absolutely undoubtedly. '
Despite the admission 'there is no one who has done for the MLS than Messi,' said the commissioner than Gorber of the competition that they had to 'maintain' the rules.
“I know that Lionel Messi loves this competition,” he said.
'I don't think there is a player, or someone who has done for MLS than Messi. I fully understand, respect and admire his dedication to Inter Miami and I respect his decision.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-term policy with regard to participation in the All-Star game and we had to force it.”
The MLS All-Star XI, which were too missing stars such as Marco Reus and Sergio Busquets, defeated the Liga MX All-Stars with 3-1, with former Nottingham Forest striker Sam Sam Surridge on the Score Sheet for the American side.
Ex -Napoli -Vleugel player Hirving Lozano for the MLS XI, while former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos -now his trade in Monterrey -played for the first half for the Mexican XI.
Messi, now 38, has conquered the American League Stormender since he made the switch of Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
In 19 performances in his first full season, he took 20 goals and offered 10 assists.
While this season Messi 19 has scored goals in so many performances, on setting up another seven.
With his contract this summer, rumors were around the superstar that may have made a surprise output of the MLS, although he now seems to sign a new deal with Miami bosses 'confident' to secure the signature of the Argentinian.