Lionel Messi has been suspended for one match for not showing up at the MLS All-Star game on Wednesday, the American soccer league announced on Friday. Jordi Alba is also excluded for one game for the same reason.
The 38-year-old Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Alba were included in the match selection for the All-Star game, but they were both not present. According to the MLS, they had not reported injured either.
“According to the competition rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star game without the permission of the competition may not participate in the next match of his club,” the MLS said in a statement.
Due to the suspension, Messi and Alba will have to miss Saturday’s game against FC Cincinnati. Messi, who has won the Golden Ball eight times, is also worth his weight in gold for Inter Miami at a later age. He has already scored eighteen times this season.
According to Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, Messi had taken a rest this week. “The players always have some complaints, especially if they have to play every three days,” the coach told ESPN.
It is not new for players in the American league to be suspended if they do not participate in the All-Star game without permission. Zlatan Ibrahimovic also experienced this once as a player for LA Galaxy.