Overview

• MLS regulations render any player who misses the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval ineligible for their club’s next match, leading to one-game bans for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba in Inter Miami’s July 26 loss to FC Cincinnati.
• Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano explained both stars sat out the showcase due to match fatigue and did not train with the team all week to manage their workload.
• Co-owner Jorge Mas said Messi is “very, very angry” over the suspension and urged MLS to review the policy, underscoring growing tensions between the club and league.
• Commissioner Don Garber described enforcing the bans as a “very difficult decision” and committed to consulting players and clubs on how the rule should evolve.
• On Sunday, Mascherano added that Inter Miami had not yet received formal notification of the suspensions, raising questions about Messi and Alba’s availability for upcoming fixtures.