The Aftermath of Messi’s and Alba’s All-Star Suspension

As we have reported here on Bad Dawg Sports, both Jordi Alba & Lionel Messi of Inter Miami were officially suspended for this Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Both men were distraught and angry when the news broke this past Friday. Many outside the Miami area were pleased that Major League Soccer stood by its decision and executed the suspension.

While many were watching the MLS All-Star Game Press Conference with Commissioner Don Garber, he was asked a few questions about what happened with Messi and Alba not attending the All-Star Game, as they received the news very late, so they could replace them with someone else in the league.

I honestly thought the way Don Garber was answering those questions from the media, I never thought he would have the chutzpah to tell the greatest footballer in our era that he and his buddy from FC Barcelona would get that one match suspension for intentionally missing the All-Star Game, but he stuck to the rules and delivered that suspension to both men.

However, from the Miami side of things, we have all heard that both Messi and Alba are not happy, and they have shown their displeasure inside the training facility. Now I don’t know if their temper tantrums decided to pick things up and throw them around the room. Still, you can sense they weren’t happy about being suspended for not attending an exhibition or a friendly match that is considered a testimonial in their eyes.

Even co-owner Jorge Mas held a press conference, during which he shared his thoughts on the matter. Of course, quotes like “It’s a Bad Rule” or “The Punishment is too Big” and other things that he believes shouldn’t have happened. Well, Mr. Mas fails to understand that the last time he tried to acquire big-name players and went against the league’s roster rules, he was punished for it.

When the biggest fish in the tank was available to come to MLS and leave his spotlight in the Capital City of France, to the glory and comfort of South Beach and South America North, he had to know that being in the All-Star Game is very important and it’s a PR moment the league needs in North America. If you are living in a country that has a game/event like this, you should adapt to it.

The other Inter Miami Co-Owner, David Beckham, has performed in past All-Star Games as well when he was playing for the LA Galaxy. Thierry Henry and Juan Pablo Angel did it for the New York Red Bulls, so why is it that both Messi and Alba said no? Or why did the Mas side of the ownership group say to those two they can do whatever they want, when they should’ve told them you need to go.

From Inter Miami reporter and my colleague, Franco Panizo, he posted his thoughts on social media perfectly on this situation.

When you come and play for a professional sports club in North America, in Canada and the United States, you have to be made aware of these mid-season breaks that are penciled in to help show everyone that these are the best players in the league for that particular season. These are the stars that all of you want to see and be honored for their success.

I could go on and on about this, and bring back up when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also suspended for missing the All-Star Game, but we all know what happened then. While my personal preference is that MLS doesn’t need an All-Star Game anymore, they will continue to have them until they decide not to do it anymore. But with Miami in the middle of the construction on their brand new stadium, would this outburst cost them to have the All-Star Game?

We won’t know until later on. Still, right now, the Mas’s, Messi, and Alba have learned that nobody should walk away from their All-Star Game roster spot and give the league ample time to inform them and show respect to them if they choose to step down instead of leaving them hanging like a person who got stood up for their date at the restaurant.