MLS Forced to Suspend Soccer Legend Lionel Messi—Here's What Could Happen Next
Few instances exist where athletic history gets shaped by one single choice.
Most pivotal moments emerge from carefully planned strategies or spontaneous competitive situations. It's uncommon for a decisive crossroads to develop within hours and potentially shape a league's upcoming era.
However, that's the situation MLS encountered with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba starting Wednesday.
Following the Inter Miami pair's absence from the MLS All-Star Game, MLS deliberated and ultimately chose to enforce its regulation, sanctioning players who missed the showcase rather than treating Messi and Alba as exceptions.
This represents a watershed moment for the league, one that might influence the All-Star Game's future, league policies, Messi's MLS tenure, and American soccer's appeal to elite global talent.
"His choice [to be absent] is something I truly cannot dispute and I comprehend it," MLS commissioner Don Garber shared with The Athletic. "It was an extremely challenging choice, but one I hope both [Messi] and everyone else can comprehend and accept. He has consistently appeared for his team, teammates, and our league repeatedly, and I acknowledge his choice."
While some rival MLS teams and supporters might question Inter Miami's roster construction approach or the focus on Messi and the Herons' venture, the choice to prioritize league regulations over Miami provided competitive integrity assurance.
Fundamentally, it tested whether Messi held more influence than the entire league. Despite his substantial $20 million annual contract and connections to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV plus other commercial ventures, the ruling demonstrated he remains simply another league participant—though an exceptionally notable one.
Simultaneously, this isn't MLS's first time enforcing regulations against a marquee player, having previously done so in 2018 when Zlatan Ibrahimović missed the All-Star Game during his LA Galaxy tenure.
"They act however they choose. I originate from a different environment," Ibrahimović stated then. "This is absurd. I come from the authentic world. It is what it is. I ultimately respect it, and I apologize only to my teammates that I couldn't assist them in the match."
Controversy Surrounding Messi Supporters
The suspension generated significant controversy within MLS and among certain supporters who follow Messi rather than a particular club like Inter Miami.
While his participation in the All-Star Game would have elevated the event's appeal, his absence from a crucial match against FC Cincinnati also discourages some from viewing the league, sacrificing valuable audience engagement and the primary reason Messi joined the league.
"The choice for Messi and Alba to stay away was a team decision," Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas stated. "This regulation is problematic, but it remains a rule. The club understood the ramifications and still chose not to permit them to participate, we don't want injuries. Every Miami match is already an All-Star Game.
"Messi and Alba differ from other players—you understand why? Because they are champions, examine the careers they've constructed, they desire to participate and compete in meaningful matches. ... I believe the penalty for this rule is excessive."
Since mid-April, Messi has completed 90 minutes in almost every contest, participating in 23 matches in 2025 where he played over 80 minutes. Yet, despite being 38 years old, he remains crucial to Miami's achievements, and the recent period has witnessed him net 10 of Miami's previous 13 goals since the FIFA Club World Cup.
Now, without him in a crucial contest against Cincinnati, Inter Miami might be sacrificing a substantial opportunity at defending their Supporters' Shield, while the league forfeits viewership and a regular-season MVP competition between Messi and Cincinnati's Evander, who participated in the MLS All-Star Game.
"When Messi participates, Messi plays 90 minutes and if you observe him playing less, he's hurt. That's how Lionel has performed here and will continue," Mas added, after manager Javier Mascherano mentioned that Messi was tired. "Load management rests with Lionel Messi. Common sense would suggest we'd prefer him to rest with comfortable leads. It won't occur."
Messi's Contract Situation
Among the primary worries about sanctioning Messi and Alba was probably Messi's agreement, which concludes at 2025's end. This provides him the opportunity to explore another league before potentially participating in the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, Mexico and Canada—a genuine catastrophe scenario for MLS.
Until Friday, MLS and Inter Miami had apparently done everything feasible to satisfy Messi and establish him for achievement and satisfaction, to gain the advantages of having the greatest player ever as the league's representative.
Nevertheless, without a new agreement, MLS might have jeopardized Messi's confidence—even with his club obtaining his friend and longtime Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul.
"The response was precisely as anticipated: Not favorable ... they don't comprehend the choice. They don't understand why missing an exhibition match results directly in a suspension," Mas said. "Leo's incredibly frustrated. I'm optimistic it doesn't affect things long-term."
Only time will reveal how the consequences will develop and what Messi's future, the All-Star Game, and superstars' connections with MLS will become. But Friday's choice will be viewed as a critical juncture, one where MLS selected itself over its superstar.