Major League Soccer handed Lionel Messi a one-game suspension after he missed the All-Star Game, and the reaction came fast. The Argentine star was clearly upset, Inter Miami voiced concerns behind the scenes, and club owner Jorge Mas didn’t hesitate to make the discomfort public.
The punishment is outlined in the league’s rulebook, but the way it was applied brings up a straightforward and uncomfortable question for fans, clubs, and even MLS leadership. Did the league make the right call by punishing the biggest name in its recent history for skipping a showcase event?
The decision and its immediate impact
Both Messi and Jordi Alba were called up for the All-Star Game but didn’t show up. Inter Miami’s official explanation was that neither player trained with the team the day before, suggesting physical issues that kept them out. Still, the league chose to stick with the regulation. Any player who misses the All-Star Game without valid medical documentation must sit out the next official match — in this case, against FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
Messi is in top form. He’s scored ten goals in his last six matches. He wanted to play. The suspension was delivered during Friday’s training session, and he didn’t hide his frustration. Jorge Mas confirmed it: “Messi is extremely upset. I hope this doesn’t have a long-term impact.”
MLS created the rule to protect the All-Star Game, a key event in the league’s commercial calendar. It’s when the biggest stars get extra visibility, the MLS brand gets a boost, and sponsors see their investments in action. If too many top players start pulling out, the event loses value. The penalty is supposed to act as a deterrent. The reasoning behind it makes sense.
Is Messi just another player or not?
That’s where things get complicated. The league wants Messi to elevate the level of competition, but also wants to treat him like any other athlete. It’s not an easy balance to maintain. Jorge Mas addressed it head-on: “Will this affect how he views MLS and its rules? I have no doubt. Lionel is different from anyone else. He wants to play every official game. He’s really angry.”
His statement says a lot. The frustration isn’t just about the suspension — it’s about what the decision represents. Messi is being kept out of an official match because he missed a friendly exhibition. That contradiction doesn’t sit well, not with the player, not with the fans, and not with the logic of the game itself.