Decision “very difficult”
All-star game skipped: lock for Lionel Messi
25.07.2025 – 9:25 p.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Inter Miami’s attacker was missing from a special date of the Major League Soccer. Now he will be missing his club in an important game. The league boss comments.
Lionel Messi will miss the upcoming league game from Inter Miami – as will his teammate Jordi Alba. Both were blocked by the Major League Soccer for a game after they had not participated in the All-Star game without a medical justification.
The two professionals had previously been appointed to the MLS selection by fans and media, who played against a team from the Mexican league MX on Wednesday. The game ended 3: 1. Messi and Alba were not there. The consequence: an automatic lock for the next league top game against Cincinnati FC on Saturday.
MLS boss Don Garber said: “I know that Lionel Messi loves this league.” In his view, there is no player who has done more for the Major League Soccer. Nevertheless, there are clear rules for participating in the All-Star game, “which we had to enforce,” said Garber. According to him, the decision was “very difficult”.