Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said Lionel Messi is «extremely upset» after being issued a one-game suspension by Major League Soccer for not participating in Wednesday's All-Star Game, a punishment the team official labeled «draconian.»
«Lionel Messi is very upset, like we all are in the club, with the fact that they won't be able to play tomorrow night. But I think what we have to do as a club is to get together as one, have an attitude that is us against the world,» Mas said at a news conference Friday.
Messi and Jordi Alba, who also missed Wednesday's event, will be unavailable for the team's game against MLS Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati on Saturday, as MLS rules state that any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in his club's next match.
— MLS: Messi, Alba get 1-game ban for ASG snub
— Messi, Alba won't play in MLS All-Star Game
— Messi tracker: All goals, assists, key moments for Inter Miami in 2025
«I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian,» Mas said.
«Obviously, it was not a positive reaction [from Messi and Alba]. They want to compete, they want to play games. That's what they're here for, to play and win. They understand the magnitude of tomorrow's night's game.
»So no, their reaction was exactly as expected of two competitive players who don't understand the decision, who don't understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension."
Mas confirmed that it was Inter Miami, not the players, that decided they should miss the event, saying the club prioritized the health and wellness of both players over the league's event due to the current schedule congestion.
Inter Miami
Read more on espn.com
espn.com
