Inter Miami Supports Messi And Alba Sentenced To MLS: It's Not Their Fault, It's The Club's Decision

JAKARTA - One of the owners of Inter Miami, Jorge Mas, said Lionel Messi was very disappointed after being sentenced to a one-match ban by Major League Soccer (MLS) for not participating in last week's All-Star Game, a sentence the team officials called cruel.

"Lionel Messi is very disappointed, like all of us at this club, with the fact that they are not playing against FC Cincinnati (Saturday, July 26, 2025)."

"However, I think what we have to do as a club is unite, have the same attitude as us against the world," said Mas.

Messi and Jordi Alba, who are also absent from the All-Star Game, did not appear against FC Cincinnati as MLS regulations state that any player who does not participate in the agenda without prior approval from the league has no right to compete in their next club game.

"I think the punishment for the rule is cruel. Obviously, it's not a positive reaction (from Messi and Alba)."

"They want to compete, they want to play. That's their goal here, to play and win. They understand how important the game is against FC Cincinnati."

"Those who did not understand the decision reacted, did not understand why not attend the exhibition match immediately led to suspension," said Mas.

Mas confirmed that Inter Miami, not the players, decided they should miss the show.

He said the club prioritized both players' health and well-being over league events due to the current tight schedule.

Inter Miami has communicated with the league before the exhibition that Messi and Alba will not attend the All-Star Match after playing nine games in the last 36 days.

Since the start of the 2025 season, Inter Miami has participated in the Concacaf Champions Cup, the regular MLS season, and the 2025 Club World Cup, and will now be preparing to appear in the upcoming edition of the MLS League Cup.

"I want us to express our full support for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba because their decision to miss is made by the club."

"I think that's an important point. I want to convince everyone that Lionel and Jordi have acted according to the club's wishes," said Mas.

If next year's match schedule is in a similar situation, Mas ensures a similar decision will be made.

"This cannot be maintained. For example, if we face this situation next year, where we have an away game on Saturday, an All-Star match on Tuesday or Wednesday, we will be on the same boat, in the same situation," said Mas.

MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, previously said that the league would review this policy carefully in the future.

"I am committed to working with our players to determine how this rule should be developed," said Garber.

Apart from that, Messi's contract with Inter Miami was completed after the end of the 2025 season. Negotiations for the new contract are ongoing.

"Messi is very disappointed, very disappointed, as expected. I hope this doesn't have an impact in the long term."

"Will this have an impact on players' perceptions of how league rules work and so on? Of course, there is no doubt," Mas said when asked if the sanctions would affect Messi's perception of the league and his desire to sign a contract extension with Inter Miami.