Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will miss Inter Miami’s next MLS match.
Despite not being injured, both stars have been handed a one-match suspension for opting out of the All-Star game — a decision that didn’t go unpunished.
As a result, Inter Miami will be without their two experienced players in the Major League Soccer clash against FC Cincinnati, scheduled for Sunday morning Bangladesh time.
Messi and Alba were initially named in the MLS All-Star squad to face Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars. No other Miami players made the list. However, neither of them participated in the match.
The All-Star game ended in a 3-1 win for the MLS team on Thursday.
According to MLS rules, any player who is not injured but pulls out of the All-Star game faces a one-match suspension. There were no reports of injuries for the Argentina captain, nor for Alba.
Still, with time passing since the All-Star match, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano had been hopeful that no disciplinary action would be taken. On Friday, he even expressed optimism about having them available for the Cincinnati clash.
“(My team) has played the most matches this season so far, and with so many games and minutes, Messi has shown a bit of fatigue.”
“Look, players always have some discomfort physically, especially when they’re playing every three days. But we’re lucky, Messi is returning today. Hopefully, he’ll train with the squad and we can count on both of them for tomorrow’s match. We haven’t received any news of a suspension.”
Just a few hours later, the suspension news broke.
So far in this MLS season, Messi has scored 18 goals in 17 matches — the joint-highest — and has also provided 10 assists. Additionally, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has started six games in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and played four matches in the FIFA Club World Cup for Inter Miami.
