The Inter Miami star has been suspended for Saturday's match after skipping the All-Star Game, and the decision could have major consequences for MLS.

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba get one-match bans for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game earlier this week.

Messi played every minute in 22 of 23 matches since April 2, logging more than 2,000 minutes during the span. His last game off was April 27. He recently set an MLS record scoring two goals in five straight matches, and six of his last seven in the regular season.

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday.That meant Messi and Alba could only watch on from the sidelines in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday as Inter were frustrated by a well-organised Cincinnati team.

The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. “They don’t understand the decision,” owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-game suspensions.

The reigning MLS MVP was selected for the league's All-Star game but his club, Inter Miami, controversially decided he shouldn't play in it.

Donovan Warns MLS: Suspending Lionel Messi Would Backfire originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Lionel Messi has been suspended for one game after sitting out the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval, the league said on Friday. The Inter Miami forward and his teammate, Jordi Alba, did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured,

MLS suspended Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba from Inter Miami's next match because of their decisions to skip the 2025 All-Star Game, the league announced Friday.

Messi,” and MLS has committed to producing four Messi-centred broadcasts during the 2025 season. The initiative was first launched in October 2024 last season.

Jorge Mas voiced his support for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba while expressing opposition to MLS's decision to ban the star duo.

The Messi cam is "pushing the boundaries of how fans experience the game," said MLS Executive Vice President of Media Seth Bacon. Bacon added, "With this collaboration, we're bringing fans even closer to one of the greatest players of all time- in a way that's dynamic, immersive, and made for the next generation of fans.