Inter Miami can move within four points of the top of the MLS's Eastern Conference by beating leaders FC Ccinnati on Saturday (July 26), although without Talisman Lionel Messi and former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba will be for the collision in Chase Park.
The absence of Lionel Messi against Cincinnati explained
The captain of Argentina has played the full 90 minutes of the last 12 ml matches of each of the Herons, but will not play against the orange and blue because of the suspension. After a lot of speculation, both Messi and Alba were given a matches of one match because they refused to participate in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday (July 23).
“Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi from Inter Miami CF will not be available on Saturday 26 July for the club against FC Cincinnati, because of their absence in the Major League Soccer All-Star match this week”, read an official MLS statement. “For each League rules, every player who does not participate in the All-Star game without prior approval of the competition, is not eligible to compete in the next match of their club.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber admitted to the Miami Herald that no more player “did for Major League Soccer than Messi”, but that the competition had to “maintain” the policy.
Why didn't Messi and Alba play in the All-Star game of 2025 ml?
Inter Miami Head Coach Javier Mascherano explained that his experienced stars had withdrawn the game in which they were voted for the hectic recent schedule of the team.
“There should be no date in the schedule. It's crazy. We have removed four of the last five games. We played four away. We played practically every three days.
“Stop for the weekend, the All-Star game will be played at the weekend and we will come back.”
Messi also missed the All-Star game from 2024, but had been approved by the MLS due to an injury to which he suffered.
When does Lionel Messi play the next one for Inter Miami?
The eight times Ballon d'Or winner is expected to return for Inter Miami for their first competition cup match against Liga MX Team Atlas on Wednesday (July 30).
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