Lionel Messi hit with MLS ban and will miss Inter Miami's next game
Messi, who recently lifted the World Cup trophy, did not participate in the showcase event and no explanation was provided at the time for the star player's no-show. Inter Miami's coach Javier Mascherano later attributed Messi's absence to exhaustion.
According to MLS regulations, any player who misses the All-Star Game without a legitimate injury must serve a one-match suspension.
Discussing Messi's condition, Mascherano remarked that he "showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he's been playing. Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days."
Messi's team-mate Jordi Alba, who was with him at Barcelona back when Pep Guardiola was in charge, is being subjected to the same ban after also bypassing the game. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended for skipping the All-Star Game in 2018.
Miami played nine games in a 35-day span between the FIFA Club World Cup and MLS regular season - during that period Messi played every minute.
MLS commissioner Don Garber said earlier this week: "We do have rules, and we have to manage through that as well. We would have loved to have Leo here. We'd love to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here. After this All-Star Game, we'll figure out what needs to happen.
"I was told this morning that neither Jordi nor Messi practiced today (Wednesday). Jordi came off with an injury in last game, and we'll have to manage through what Miami is going to say about that."
Despite being without Messi and Alba the MLS squad secured a 3-1 win against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars in Austin, Texas. The 38-year-old, an eight-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, has scored 18 goals in as many appearances for Inter Miami in the MLS.
Since making the move to Florida Messi has helped his team, co-owned by David Beckham, win the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the following year they landed the Supporters' Shield. Inter Miami currently sit seventh overall in the MLS but are fifth in their Conference. (Image: Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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