Major League Soccer (MLS) has made headlines by confirming the suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Inter Miami’s upcoming game against FC Cincinnati. The duo skipped the MLS All-Star clash against Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday, leading to the enforcement of the league’s rule on player participation.
According to MLS regulations, any player who fails to participate in the All-Star game without prior approval from the league will face suspension for their club’s next league match. Since Messi and Alba were not sidelined due to injury, they are now ineligible to play in the FC Cincinnati fixture on Saturday, July 26. The official statement from MLS, as reported by ESPN, stated, “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.”
Fans expressed their surprise and disappointment at the league’s decision to suspend Messi and Alba, taking to social media to voice their opinions. Some fans criticized the rule, with one user calling it “dumb” and another questioning the decision to punish players for missing an exhibition game not part of the regular season.
Many fans highlighted Messi’s absence as a major blow for Inter Miami, while others criticized MLS for the suspension, suggesting it could impact ticket sales. Some frustrated Messi supporters urged him to leave the club following the suspension.
Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano defended Messi, citing normal fatigue as the reason for his absence from the All-Star game. Mascherano also revealed that Alba had sustained a knock in a previous match against New York Red Bulls.
In a press conference ahead of the FC Cincinnati clash, Mascherano expressed hope that Messi would return to training on Friday and be available for the upcoming match. Inter Miami currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference table, with 41 points from 21 matches and will face FC Cincinnati, the league leaders, in a crucial encounter.
As fans eagerly await Messi’s return to action, the controversy surrounding his suspension has sparked debate within the football community. Despite the setback, Inter Miami remains focused on their quest for success in the MLS season.
The original content of this article was written by Sripad, a seasoned Sportskeeda football journalist with a deep passion for the game. His insights and expertise in the world of football have made him a respected figure in the industry. Aditya Singh has edited this article to ensure accuracy and clarity in the information presented.
As the story unfolds, fans will continue to follow Messi’s journey in MLS and his impact on Inter Miami’s quest for glory in the league.
