Lionel Messi was voted into the MLS-Liga MX All-Star Game by fans, but in the U.S., the conversation hasn’t been about his performance. It’s been about the fact that he didn’t play. The Inter Miami star didn’t appear at the event last Wednesday in Austin, and now he could be suspended for one Major League Soccer match.
Jordi Alba, his teammate and fellow absentee, also skipped the game. That opened up discussion across the league about whether certain players get different treatment. MLS rules say that any selected player who misses the All-Star Game without a valid reason, usually an injury, is automatically suspended for one league game.
So far, the league hasn’t said whether it’ll apply that rule to Messi and Jordi Alba. Fans and the media are still waiting for an answer, especially with Inter Miami facing FC Cincinnati this Saturday.
The absence that bothered MLS
The controversy grew quickly. The All-Star Game is one of the league’s most visible events and a chance to highlight its biggest names. Messi was the main draw, and a lot of people tuned in just to see him. When he didn’t show, frustration followed.
Reports in the U.S. pointed out that if MLS follows its own rules, Messi should miss the next game. That decision isn’t easy. He’s been in great form. Since coming back from the Club World Cup, he’s scored ten goals in six matches — two in each of the five wins. Taking him out now would show the league is serious about its rules. But would it risk taking its most talked-about player off the field?
Cincinnati, the team that stopped Messi
Inter Miami’s next opponent is one of the toughest in the league right now. FC Cincinnati leads the Eastern Conference and is coming off five straight wins. On July 16, they beat Miami 3–0 and stopped Messi, ending his run of five matches with two goals.
That makes Saturday’s match even more important. Miami is in fifth place and has played three more games than the four teams ahead of them. They can’t afford to drop points at home, especially against a direct rival.
MLS and the rulebook dilemma
Now the league has a choice to make. Will it suspend Messi and Alba, or make an exception? MLS is growing fast, and much of that growth comes from Messi’s presence. He’s the face of the league, and his impact on ticket sales, sponsorships and global interest is huge.
But skipping the rule could send the wrong message. It could suggest there’s a double standard. For a league trying to earn respect and grow its credibility, that could be a bigger loss than missing one star for one match.