Jordi Alba & Lionel Messi Suspended For All-Star Snub

At 1:00 PM on Friday, July 25th, Major League Soccer announced that Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi have been suspended for this weekend’s match against FC Cincinnati, as they decided to ditch the All-Star Game in Austin, Texas, this past Wednesday at the Q2 Stadium. Commissioner Don Garber took questions at his press conference before the All-Star Game began.

MLS Communications

NEW YORK (July 25, 2025) – Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game. Per league rules, 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.

The last player to be suspended for intentionally missing the All-Star Game was former Swedish International Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who played for the Los Angeles Galaxy during his brief time in the league. Even though he felt he was beneath that level of participation, we have seen former European and South American greats enjoy their time at the All-Star Game, such as David Beckham and Thierry Henry.

If they had an injury or a legitimate excuse to miss this event, it would be understandable; however, sadly, these two great footballers felt they had to leave without a reason and not join the rest of the MLS All-Stars against the Liga MX All-Stars. Hercules Gomez of ESPN’s Futbol Americas, in a YouTube Shorts video, said Sergio Ramos, who plays for Monterrey in Liga MX, didn’t want to go either. However, he was promoted to Captain and earned more money from the League to make the trip.

For some, the All-Star Game remains an incredible spectacle to watch, as the best players from around the world come together for one day to face off against the world’s top clubs or compete against the best players from Liga MX. Others feel that this gimmick should be removed from our soccer league and replaced with a straight season, like everyone else. Until it’s gone, the All-Star Game will continue, as it will be hosted in Charlotte in 2026.