Ahead of the MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday evening, Inter Miami`s prominent players, Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, have withdrawn from the roster. Despite being selected and expected to start against the Liga MX All-Stars, the pair will not participate. While no official reason for their absence has been provided, league regulations suggest they could face a one-match suspension.
Last season, Messi was absent from the All-Star Game due to injury. However, current league rules state that players who miss the event without a verified injury risk a one-game ban. Should Messi and Alba incur this penalty, they would be unavailable for Inter Miami`s home fixture against FC Cincinnati this Saturday.
Following a 3-0 defeat to Cincinnati on July 16, a win this weekend is crucial for the Herons to advance in the Eastern Conference standings, where they currently lag seven points behind Cincinnati. Although Miami has three games in hand due to their participation in various tournaments, securing immediate points on the scoreboard remains paramount.
What Are the Next Steps?
In a statement issued to The Athletic, Major League Soccer indicated, “The league office needs to speak with the club before we confirm player availability for Saturday.”
This crucial dialogue aims to clarify why Messi and Alba were sidelined from Wednesday`s All-Star Game, an event highly anticipated by the league. Fans had eagerly awaited Messi`s on-field reunion with former Real Madrid players Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez during the clash with the Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, a match that will now proceed without him.
While legitimate reasons for absence exist, it is the league`s responsibility, in consultation with Inter Miami, to ascertain them. MLS Commissioner Don Garber is slated to deliver an address on the state of the league before the All-Star Game on Wednesday, and it`s anticipated that Messi`s situation may also be part of his remarks.
MLS All-Stars vs. Liga MX All-Stars: Viewing Information
- Date: Wednesday, July 23
- Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Q2 Stadium, Austin, Texas
- Live Stream: MLS Season Pass
