Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas is worried about the future of Lionel Messi’s relationship with Major League Soccer after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and his teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for one match after skipping Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game.
“He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected,” Mas said, according to The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio. “I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long-term. Will it have an impact initially, in the players’ perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely no doubt.”
Messi and Alba will both miss Saturday’s visit from FC Cincinnati because league rules state “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,” an MLS statement read Friday. Messi and Alba had returned to Inter Miami training shortly before MLS announced their suspensions.