Inter Miami Owner Expresses Displeasure Over Messi’s Suspension

MIAMI: Jorge Mas, the owner of Inter Miami, publicly disapproved Friday’s decision by Major League Soccer (MLS) to suspend Lionel Messi for one game. The suspension was a consequence of Messi’s absence from the 2025 MLS All-Star Game earlier this week.

According to MLS regulations, players chosen for the All-Star event are required to participate unless they have prior authorization to be excused. Messi, along with teammate Jordi Alba, did not participate in the game. Consequently, both players are ineligible for Inter Miami’s next match against FC Cincinnati, a ruling that Mas characterized as excessively severe and unproductive.

Mas informed reporters that the seven-time Ballon d’Or recipient was ‘extremely upset’ by the judgment, suggesting that such actions could erode players’ confidence in the league’s protocols.

“As expected, he is very upset today. I am hopeful that it won’t have a lasting negative effect. Will it initially affect how players view the league’s rules? Absolutely, without a doubt,” Mas commented.

Mas clarified that Messi and Alba were fully prepared to participate in Inter Miami’s upcoming contests, notably Saturday’s critical match against Cincinnati, which has implications for playoff qualification.

“They are eager to compete and participate in games. That’s their purpose here: to compete and secure victories. They recognize the significance of (Saturday) night’s game,” he stated.

The Inter Miami co-owner criticized the policy, asserting that penalizing players for skipping what is essentially an exhibition match is unduly harsh and goes against the spirit of competition.

“The reaction mirrored what you would anticipate from highly competitive athletes,” Mas added.

“They do not comprehend the rationale behind suspending someone for not attending an exhibition match. While the rule exists, they find it incomprehensible. To be frank, the penalty associated with the rule is disproportionate,” he concluded.