Lionel Messi daring MLS to punish him by no-showing All-Star Game
The Inter Miami star will not participate in Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game, despite being voted onto the roster, and raises an interesting conundrum for the league.
By not participating in the MLS All-Star Game for any reason other than an injury, Messi is flouting league rules that would make him eligible to be suspended for one game.
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Lionel Messi could face a suspension for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.
ISI Photos via Getty Images
An MLS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post, but did tell The Athletic that the 'league office needs to speak with the club before we confirm player availability for Saturday.'
Inter Miami is scheduled to face Cincinnati on Saturday in its final regular-season game before the league pauses for the Leagues Cup tournament.
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Inter Miami's head coach, Javier Mascherano, had expressed a desire for Messi, and Jordi Alba, to rest instead of playing in the All-Star Game.
'The players are called up, I would like them to be able to rest but that is not my decision,' he said ahead of Miami's win over the Red Bulls last weekend.
Alba is not participating in the All-Star Game as well.
Lionel Messi (l.) and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba (r.) are both skipping the MLS All-Star Game.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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Messi missed last year's festivities due to the ankle injury he suffered in the 2024 Copa América final and Alba did take part in the skills challenge and All-Star match against stars from Liga MX.
The Liga MX All-Stars will include Monterrey defender and former Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos.
MLS has enforced its rule regarding players skipping the All-Star Game in the past, including against Zlatan Ibrahimović when he was a member of the LA Galaxy in 2018.
Ibrahimović had sharply criticized the policy and in comments to reporters, he said that 'I come from a different world, I come from the real world.'
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