Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba are slated to miss Inter Miami’s Saturday evening contest against FC Cincinnati. Both players are “unavailable,” as clarified by MLS, due to suspensions arising from their absence at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game held earlier this week.
“Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game,” MLS stated. “According to league regulations, any player who fails to participate in the All-Star Game without obtaining prior consent from the league is prohibited from competing in their club’s subsequent match.”
Despite being selected for the All-Star Game, neither Messi nor Alba participated in the events that occurred earlier in the week in Austin, Texas. As reported by ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano, discussions took place between league officials and Inter Miami representatives regarding the availability of both players for the Cincinnati match.
The league has previously implemented this rule, such as when former LA Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimović was suspended for one game after not appearing at the 2018 All-Star Game against Juventus from Serie A.
“I am aware that Lionel Messi values this league. I believe Messi has significantly contributed more to Major League Soccer than any other player or individual,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber communicated to the Miami Herald. “I completely understand, admire, and respect his dedication to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.
“Regrettably, we adhere to a long-standing policy concerning participation in the All-Star Game, which we were obliged to enforce. It was a highly challenging decision. Nevertheless, we will thoroughly reassess the policy moving forward. I am dedicated to collaborating with our players to ascertain how the rule should be revised.”
On Friday, head coach Javier Mascherano mentioned the intensive schedule Inter Miami has maintained recently, detailing the reasons for Messi and Alba’s need for time off.
“In my opinion, if these types of events are desired, it’s fantastic to organize them, and they certainly benefit the league,” Mascherano commented. “However, they shouldn’t be scheduled within the regular season. It’s absurd. We’ve played four of the last five games away from home. Virtually every three days, we’ve been on the field.
“Taking a break for the weekend, hosting the All-Star Game during the weekend, and then returning immediately… because after Wednesday, today, a mere 48 hours after a match, there are teams scheduled to play, which doesn’t provide sufficient rest for the players. We must prioritize the players because football relies on them. Without players, there is no football.”
Messi was absent from last year’s All-Star Game due to an ankle injury sustained while representing Argentina at Copa América. Speculation heightened regarding the participation of the two Inter Miami stars in this year’s event when they both did not attend Monday’s training session.
Following an injury-plagued 2024 season, Messi, aged 38, has been present for every minute of Inter Miami’s last 19 matches. The Herons possess a 12-4-5 record, currently holding fifth position in the Eastern Conference after 21 games.
Both players were featured in Inter Miami’s lineup during Saturday’s 5-1 victory against the New York Red Bulls. Alba, who was substituted in the second half due to an injury, scored the team’s opening goal, while Messi contributed two goals in the second half.
Messi and Alba are scheduled to return on Wednesday, marking the beginning of Inter Miami’s Phase One of Leagues Cup competition against Liga MX team Atlas F.C.
