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George Mass, owner of Inter Miami, destroyed the Major League soccer decisions to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordan Alba for a game.
Messi and Alba will be sidelined for the match of Inter Miami against Eastern Conference-Agni Cincinnati FC on Saturday.
Both players left the MLS all-star game of Wednesday in Austin, Texas despite getting adequate votes. Major League All-Stars defeated Liga MX All-Stars 3–1.
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Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi said on the Sports Illustrated Stadium during the second half in the action against New York Red Bulls at Harrison, NJ, July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchiata/Image Image)
But Mass punished the league’s decision “Dracian”.
“They don’t understand the decision,” the mass said on Friday. “They do not understand why participating in an exhibition match directly suspension.”
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Argentina’s 2022 World Cup champion team captain Messi cited the need to rest instead of competing in the all-star game. Meanwhile, Alba was working with a previous injury.
Mass said that the club decided to sit out of the all-star game for Messi and Alba.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami along with George Mass to the crowd for the crowd, as the owner of Inter Miami, Fort Lauderdel, Fla., 20 July, at the Chase Stadium on 20 July, 2024. (Through Scott McIntire/Bloomberg Getty Image)
According to MLS rules, any player who does not participate in the all-star game without pre-approval from the league is ineligible to compete in the next match of his club.
Inter Miami CF Forward Lionel Messi, Harrison, NJ, appears during the second half against New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium on 19 July, 2025. (Vincent Carchiata/Image Image)
Messi and Alba practiced with the club on Friday in anticipation of playing in a Saturday match before announcing the suspension of MLS.
“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “I don’t think there is a player – or anyone – who has done more than Messi for Major League football. I fully understand, respect his commitment to Miami, respect and praise his commitment, and I respect his decision.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy about participation in the all-star game, and we had to implement it. It was a very difficult decision.”
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Garber said that the league would revaluate the policy and work with the players to “determine how the rules should develop.”
Mass said that Inter Miami expressed her disagreement on suspension and rules. The MAS also said that the all-star game had six MLS games on Friday night in less than 48 hours.
“This is not correct,” the mass said. “This is not right for the players.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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