Leo Messi ‘extremely upset’ and ‘very, very angry’ with MLS

Lionel Messi is livid with the MLS for suspending him as punishment for lacking the All-Star Game on Wednesday in a transfer that would have an “influence long-term”, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has warned.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who’s by far the league’s most high-profile participant, is banned alongside team-mate and fellow Barcelona icon Jordi Alba for Miami’s probably essential dwelling sport in opposition to leaders Cincinnati on Saturday in a call described by MLS Commissioner Don Garber as “very, very tough”.

“Leo Messi is extraordinarily upset,” mentioned Mas, by way of journalist Guillem Balague, who’s Messi’s biographer. “I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an effect long-term.

“He may be very, very offended, however we should unite as one entity. We are in opposition to the world and that should be mirrored in our efficiency in the course of the second half of the 12 months.”

Why is Lionel Messi suspended?

The MLS has to offer permission for gamers to overlook the sport – which their group gained 3-1 in opposition to an All-Star group from Mexican prime flight the Liga MX – for causes similar to accidents.

Miami supervisor Javier Mascherano mentioned wideman Alba had suffered a knock however Messi was affected by “discomfort” quite than damage.

“Will it have an effect on his notion on the league and its guidelines? No doubt,” Mas mentioned.

“Lionel is totally different from everybody else. He needs to take part in aggressive matches.”

Messi suspension: What did the MLS say?

Speaking after the suspensions had been introduced on Friday, Garber mentioned the league had no selection below a rule that gamers who skip the match with out permission obtain a one-game ban.

Miami’s talisman and their Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 at the moment are dominated out of a rematch in opposition to the one opponents to have crushed the Herons of their final eight league matches, spanning greater than two months.

“Unfortunately, we’ve a long-standing coverage concerning participation within the All-Star Game, and we needed to implement it,” mentioned Garber, by way of the Miami Herald.

“It was a really tough resolution. That mentioned, we’re going to take a tough take a look at the coverage transferring ahead. I’m dedicated to working with our gamers to find out how the rule ought to evolve.

“I do know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t assume there’s a participant — or anybody — who has accomplished extra for Major League Soccer than Messi.

“I absolutely perceive, respect, and admire his dedication to Inter Miami, and I respect his resolution.”

Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba miss MLS All-Star Game

Speaking earlier than the suspensions had been introduced, Miami supervisor Javier Mascherano described the timing of the MLS All-Star Game – which required Messi and Alba to make a spherical journey of greater than 2,200 miles to Austin, Texas – as “loopy”.

“If they wish to do any such occasion, it’s nice to do it,” he mentioned, including that there was “not sufficient relaxation” for gamers.

“It’s nice for the league [but it] shouldn’t be [on] a date within the [regular] schedule. It’s loopy. We’ve performed 4 of the final 5 video games away.

“We’ve been enjoying virtually each three days. The very first thing we’ve to consider is that soccer belongs to the gamers. And if soccer belongs to the gamers, with out gamers, it doesn’t exist.”

Lionel Messi banned vs Cincinnati

At the age of 38, Messi has performed each minute in 22 of Miami’s final 23 video games in all competitions, scoring at the least two targets in six of their final seven MLS video games, together with a run of 5 straight.

Messi and Alba returned to coaching on Friday and had been anticipated to be in Miami’s beginning facet in opposition to Cincinnati, who’re seven factors forward of them.

Miami have three matches in hand due to their involvement within the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in June.

Last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners performed 5 matches in 14 days from July 5, together with a 3-0 defeat at Cincinnati on July 16 — the one sport alongside the way in which during which Messi didn’t rating.

How to observe Inter Miami v Cincinnati: Live stream, TV channel

Kick-off on Saturday is at 19:15 ET (16:15 PT on Saturday / 00:15 BST on Sunday), with reside protection accessible by the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.

In the US, a subscription prices $14.99 a month or $69 a season. Existing Apple TV+ subscribers pay $12.99 per thirty days or $59 a season.

Lionel Messi stats

Messi is the reigning MLS MVP, with no participant within the league outscoring his 18 targets earlier than the most recent spherical of matches.

He recovered from the defeat to Cincinnati by scoring twice and establishing one other aim of their 5-1 win at New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

Miami are fifth within the Eastern Conference, having scored 10 extra targets than Cincinnati and 7 greater than another facet this season.

Lionel Messi contract, wage

Messi stays essentially the most high-profile participant on the earth alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an non-obligatory additional 12 months in his Miami contract.

Speaking to Marca after Messi’s arrival was first introduced in July 2023, Mas mentioned the four-time Champions League winner would earn as much as $60 million a 12 months.

Messi’s purported enjoying wage of as much as $20.4m is significantly greater than another participant within the US and is heftily elevated by holding fairness within the membership and funds from league broadcasters Apple.

The sporting nice has spoken of his happiness at Miami and hinted that he’ll signal a contract extension.

Lionel Messi Inter Miami document

The membership was shaped by a bunch together with former England captain David Beckham in 2018 and made Messi one of the crucial prestigious MLS signings of all time 5 years later, successful their first trophy with the assistance of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Uruguay all-time prime scorer Luis Suarez once they triumphed within the 2023 Leagues Cup.

In his first full marketing campaign with the membership, Messi averaged an MLS-record 2.18 aim contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 to assist Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield.

He has 24 targets and eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions in 2025, with former Argentina midfielder Mascherano taking up as boss earlier than the beginning of the season.