The owner of Inter Miami explodes the suspension of Lionel Messi after the absence of a All-Star game

Jorge Mas, the owner of Inter Miami, castigated Major League Soccer’s decision to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for a match.

Messi and Alba will be sidelined for Inter Miami’s match against the Cincinnati FC of Cincinnati FC on Saturday.

The two players jumped the MLS star match on Wednesday in Austin, Texas, despite the absence of sufficient votes. Major League All-Stars defeated the All-Stars Liga MX 3-1.

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The Inter Miami striker CF Lionel Messi in action against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ, July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta / Imagn images)

But Mas said that the league decision was a “draconian” punishment.

“They don’t understand the decision,” said Mas on Friday. “They do not understand why not attend an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension.”

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Messi, the captain of the World Cup champion team in 2022 in Argentina, cited the need to rest instead of participating in the stars match. Meanwhile, Alba was faced with a previous injury.

Mas said the club had made Messi and Alba’s decision to sit down the stars match.

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami advances to the crowd alongside Jorge Mas, director of inter Miami, at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 20, 2024. (Scott McIntyre / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

According to MLS’s rules, any player who does not participate in the star match without prior approval from the League is not eligible to participate in the next match of his club.

Inter Miami CF striker, Lionel Messi, looks during the second half against New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, NJ, July 19, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta / Imagn images)

Messi and Alba practiced with the club Friday in anticipation of playing in the match on Saturday before MLS announced the suspension.

“I know Lionel Messi loves this league,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. “I don’t think there is a player – or someone – who did more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I understand perfectly, respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision.

“Unfortunately, we have a long -standing policy regarding participation in the game of stars, and we had to apply it. It was a very difficult decision.”

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Garber added that the League would reassess the policy and work with players to “determine how the rule should evolve”.

Mas said Inter Miami had expressed his disagreement on the suspension and the rule. Mas also noted that there were six MLS games on Friday evening, less than 48 hours after a star match.

“This is not true,” said Mas. “It’s not just for players.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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