Inter Miami Owner Blasts MLS for Lionel Messi Suspension: 'That's Not Right'

In a fiery response to Major League Soccer's latest ruling, Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas has come out swinging against the suspension of star players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. The duo will miss the crucial match against Eastern Conference leaders Cincinnati FC this Saturday, all because they opted out of the recent MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas.

Mas didn’t hold back, labeling the league’s decision as draconian and questioning the logic behind punishing players for skipping an exhibition match. "They don’t understand why not attending leads directly to a suspension," Mas argued, pointing out the absurdity of the rule. Messi, the iconic captain of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team, chose rest over the All-Star spectacle, while Alba was nursing a prior injury. Mas emphasized that the decision to sit them out was made by the club, prioritizing player welfare.

According to MLS regulations, players who skip the All-Star Game without league approval face ineligibility for their next club match—a policy that caught Messi and Alba in its net despite their Friday practice session in anticipation of playing. MLS Commissioner Don Garber acknowledged Messi’s immense contribution to the league, calling him a transformative figure, yet stood firm on enforcing the rule. However, Garber hinted at a future reevaluation of the policy, suggesting openness to dialogue with players.

Mas wasn’t done. He highlighted the scheduling madness, noting that six MLS games were slated just 48 hours after the All-Star event. "That’s not right to the players," he declared, underscoring a broader concern for athlete well-being in a packed calendar. This clash between league rules and club priorities raises bigger questions about how MLS balances spectacle with the grind of the regular season.