Both world champion Lionel Messi and his teammate Jordi Alba have canceled their participation in the annual MLS All-Star Game and now face penalties.
Lionel Messi will not be playing in the annual Major League Soccer All-Star Game against a select team from the Mexican Liga MX. As the league confirmed to US TV channel ESPN, not only will the Argentine miss the game, but his teammate Jordi Alba will also not be on the field. Both had been voted into the squad by fans and the media – and now face a one-match ban.
High sporting demands
The trigger for this is probably the reason for the cancellation: according to MLS regulations, a medical reason is required for a cancellation, which is hardly the case for Messi and Alba. It seems more likely that this is simply a precautionary measure by coach Javier Mascherano, who had already spoken out in favor of giving the superstars a break.
This is not unfounded, as a glance at Lionel Messi’s playing time alone shows: The 2022 World Cup winner has played five games in 15 days (scoring eight goals) since the Club World Cup. The match against Sergio Ramos’ Mexican national team, which takes place at 3 a.m. on Thursday morning, would add another game to that schedule, with the next regular league match against FC Cincinnati already scheduled for Saturday.
However, before a final decision is made on a suspension, both parties, the league and representatives of Inter Miami, want to discuss the matter.
