Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been given one-match bans for skipping Main League Soccer’s All-Star recreation earlier this week.
Each gamers missed Wednesday’s match in Austin, Texas the place the MLS squad posted a 3-1 win in opposition to Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars.
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“Per league guidelines, any participant who doesn’t take part within the All-Star Sport with out prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete of their membership’s subsequent match,” MLS stated in an announcement on Friday.
Because of this, the duo will now miss Miami’s dwelling league fixture in opposition to FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
MLS commissioner Don Garber stated suspending Messi was a “very tough choice”.
“I do know Lionel Messi loves this league,” he added.
“I do not suppose there is a participant – or anybody – who has finished extra for MLS than Messi. I totally perceive, respect, and admire his dedication to Inter Miami, and I respect his choice.
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“Sadly, now we have a long-standing coverage relating to participation within the All-Star Sport and we needed to implement it.”
Argentina legend Messi, 38, has scored 18 objectives in as many appearances for Javier Mascherano’s facet within the MLS this season, whereas Alba, 36, has featured 19 occasions within the league.
The duo, who additionally performed collectively at Barcelona from 2012 to 2021, have been additionally a part of the Miami facet’s run to the quarter-finals of the Fifa Membership World Cup.
by the hands of eventual finalists Paris St-Germain, Miami have performed 5 matches this month with Messi scoring eight occasions.
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Talking to ESPN earlier within the day, Miami head coach Mascherano stated ahead “confirmed regular fatigue from the variety of video games and minutes he is been enjoying.”
“Look, gamers all the time have discomfort, particularly after they play each three days.”