Argentine star Lionel Messi will not be suspended for missing the MLS All-Star Game and is expected to feature in this weekend's regular-season match against FC Cincinnati.
Previously, Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets all failed to attend the pre-game training of the MLS All-Star team. According to MLS regulations, they would therefore be suspended for one game and unable to participate in Inter Miami's next match. MLS has not yet issued a public statement on this matter. The MLS All-Star Game has existed since the league's founding in 1996 and has undergone multiple restructurings. The event is regarded by MLS executives and some management personnel as an important fixture, serving as one of the rare opportunities for representatives from various clubs to gather. As such, the league's rules stipulate that all selected players must participate unless injured; otherwise, they will be suspended for one game.
Ahead of the game, MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated regarding Messi's absence: “We are not going to address the potential suspension of Messi and others today, because the match between Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati isn't until this weekend. There's no need for us to announce anything right now. We're working through the situation. I only learned this morning that both Alba and Messi didn't attend training. Alba withdrew due to an injury sustained in the previous game. The specific details will await an official statement from Inter Miami.”
“We had hoped Messi would participate, and we wanted all players selected for the All-Star team to be present.”
MLS actually knew long ago that Messi would not participate in the All-Star Game. More importantly, Messi is expected to play in Sunday's match against FC Cincinnati.
