FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were “extremely upset” upon hearing they will not be available to play in Inter Miami’s next match after skipping the MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas earlier this week, co-owner Jorge Mas said after the league’s announcement on Friday, July 25.
Any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match, per MLS rules.
Inter Miami will play a highly-anticipated match against first-place FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, without Messi and Alba, despite both returning to practice on Friday for the first time this week with expectations they would be able to play.
“He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected. I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long term,” Mas said of Messi during a Zoom press conference with media, regarding ongoing contract negotiations to extend the Argentine World Champion’s contract beyond this season.
MLS commissioner Don Garber told USA TODAY Sports this was a “complicated” decision based on Messi’s workload.
Messi has played every minute in 22 of 23 matches since April 2, with his lone absence in a 4-3 loss at home to FC Dallas on April 27.
“I know Leo Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s been a player, or frankly just about anyone, who has done more for MLS than Leo Messi has,” Garber told USA TODAY Sports. “But we have a long-standing policy that is related to participation for all players. And unfortunately, I had to enforce the policy. It was a difficult decision to make.”
Mas said the club decided for Messi and Alba not to travel, considering they just completed a stretch of nine games in 35 days with an upcoming stint of 10 games in 34 days.
Mas added he had communication with the league on Monday and Tuesday, but admitted talks between both sides “wasn’t handled ideally.” MLS did not announce Messi and Alba would miss the All-Star Game until roughly eight hours before the Wednesday, July 23 exhibition.
“Obviously, Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi. He is different. He has completely changed the economics of this league for every single club, every team, every sponsor, the league, media, etc. He’s important. But at the end of the day, Lionel Messi wants to play in competitive matches,” Mas said.
“If he would have gone Wednesday, would have played maybe 15-30 minutes – great. But at the end of the day, league corporate sponsors are already taking advantage of Lionel Messi’s presence in the league.”
Mas believes the rule that will sideline his former FC Barcelona stars is “frankly draconian,” and the All-Star Game puts the players in an “untenable situation” to choose between participating in the exhibition and getting some much needed rest during the regular season. The All-Stars who started the exhibition were substituted after 30 minutes because most returned to regular-season play Friday.
“It’s not just for what he’s done off the field, growing the overall popularity and awareness of the league. It’s really what he’s done on the field. His games are special moments. Every one of them is a must-see match, and it’s that commitment what he does on the field that makes this decision so complicated,” Garber said of Messi.
“He’s played more games than any one player this year. He’s so committed to his club that the timing of the All-Star Game, the timing of the Club World Cup and their schedule, has him wanting to take a break. And I respect that. It was based on his commitment to his club, and I understand and respect his decision.”
Garber reiterated to Mas that he will “take a hard look at the rule moving forward to make sure it reflects the evolving realities of our league and its players.”
“I think the rule, it is going to change, but that’s neither here nor there,” Mas added. “Their reaction was as I expected, and they were extremely upset – both of them.”
