Messi Extremely Upset with MLS Over ‘Draconian’ Ban, Says Miami Co-owner Mas

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has stated that Lionel Messi is “extremely upset” following a one-game suspension imposed by Major League Soccer for not participating in Wednesday’s All-Star Game, a punishment that Mas described as “draconian.”

“Lionel Messi is very upset, as are we all at the club, about the fact that he won’t be able to play tomorrow night. However, what we must do as a club is unite and adopt an attitude of ‘us against the world’,” Mas remarked at a news conference yesterday.

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. MLS rules dictate that any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.

“I believe the punishment for this rule is frankly draconian,” Mas added.

“Naturally, they did not react positively. They want to compete and play games. That is their purpose – to play and win.

“Their reaction was entirely expected from two competitive players who cannot comprehend the decision.

They don’t understand why missing an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension.”
Mas confirmed that it was Inter Miami, rather than the players, who decided they should miss the event, prioritising the health and wellbeing of both players due to the current congested schedule.

Inter Miami communicated with the league on Monday and Tuesday, informing them that Messi and Alba would not attend the All-Star Game after playing nine matches in the past 36 days.

Since the beginning of the 2025 campaign, Inter Miami has participated in the Concacaf Champions League, the MLS regular season, and the FIFA Club World Cup, and will now prepare for the upcoming edition of the Leagues Cup.

“I wish to express our full support for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba today, as the decision for them to miss this week was made by the club. This is an important point. I assure everyone that Lionel and Jordi have acted in a manner aligned with the club’s wishes,” Mas stated.

If faced with a similar scheduling situation next year, Mas affirmed that the same decision would be made.