Jorge Mas, the owner of Inter Miami, has criticized Major League Soccer (MLS) for its decision to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for one match due to their absence from the All-Star game in Austin, Texas. The suspension means that both players will miss the crucial match against Cincinnati FC, currently leading the Eastern Conference. Mas described the punishment as “draconian,” emphasizing that skipping an exhibition match should not lead to such a severe consequence.
According to Mas, Messi, the 2022 World Cup champion with Argentina, opted to rest instead of participating in the All-Star game, while Alba was dealing with a prior injury. Mas explained that the club made the decision for both players to avoid the exhibition, which unfortunately violated league regulations. MLS rules stipulate that any player who does not attend the All-Star Game without prior league approval faces suspension for their next match.
Despite training with the team in preparation for the upcoming match, Messi and Alba were left sidelined after MLS announced their suspension. MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed his understanding of Messi’s decision, recognizing his immense contribution to the league. However, he reaffirmed that the policy on All-Star Game participation had to be enforced, even though it was a challenging decision.
Garber also mentioned the league’s intent to reevaluate this policy in light of the incident, aiming to work collaboratively with players to determine how such rules should evolve going forward. Mas has voiced Inter Miami’s dissent regarding both the suspension and the All-Star participation rule, noting the peculiar timing of having multiple MLS games scheduled shortly after the exhibition match.
He underscored the unfairness of imposing such a regulation on players within a tight competitive schedule. These circumstances raise questions about the league’s policies and their impact on player welfare, particularly when key players are sidelined unexpectedly. Mas’s assertions have highlighted the ongoing tension between the league’s regulations and the needs of its players.
The situation has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike regarding the balance between league regulations and player well-being. As the MLS continues to grow, the challenge remains to adapt its policies in ways that respect the players’ commitments while maintaining league integrity. The outcome of this particular situation may serve as a turning point for how MLS addresses player participation and its impact on future seasons.
