Lionel Messi will not play the game of stars: what sanction will receive from the MLS

Lionel Messi decided not to participate in MLS stars game that will be played on Wednesday in Austin. After playing Five games in 14 days and with a demanding calendar in Inter Miamithe star chose to prioritize rest. The League, however, contemplates sanctions For players that are absent without medical cause and decided to impose a date of suspension.

The Argentine drags a high demand after the return of the Club World Cup and their participation in the Mlswhere he was chosen Player of the date in five of the last ten days. With 18 goalsshare the leadership of the gunner table with Sam Surridge and accumulate Six doubles in seven gamesbut physical load generates concern.

Javier Mascherano had anticipated the risk: “I would like it to restbut it is not a decision that I must make. ”Inter Miami himself acknowledged:“ The intensity of the matches we have played, especially in the last month and a half, has been very, very high. I clearly worry because The team has been suffering many muscle injuries. ”

THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL-STAR GAME

He Star Game Face a combined of the MLS with another of the MX League And it is designed as a show that seeks a fusion between football and show. In this edition, fans, media, the technician Nico Estévez and Commissioner Don Garber selected 32 soccer players, including Messi, Jordi Alba and Cristian Espinoza.

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Lio has 5 games played in two weeks.

This Tuesday, in the Q2 Stadiumthe skills challenge was performed, but Messi was not present. The organization, which transmits the event on Apple TV, expected the Argentine to be the central figure of this Wednesday at 22 (Argentine time), a show that He was suspended at his absence.

Possible sanctions for absence

The regulation of the MLS establishes that The lack of assistance to All-Star Game Without a medical justification it can involve A suspension date. This could leave Messi and Jordi Alba out of the game against Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26a key duel for Inter Miami in the League.

The antecedent of Zlatan Ibrahimovic In 2018 (one of the MLS figures that year) marks a precedent: the Swedish refused to play the All-Star Game and received a sanction date, showing that the organization applies the norm even with its maximum stars.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was sanctioned in 2018 after absent in the same event.

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A show that loses your figure

Since 1996the game of the stars was consolidated as a reference event in the football of USAfacing figures from the MLS against international clubs And, in the last five years, against the MX League. In 2024, the Mexican representation won 4-1 with goals from Argentines such as Maximiliano Meza and Germán Berterame.

Now, the 2025 edition faces an unexpected turn. Lionel Messi, who debuted in Inter Miamihe had been chosen to carry the captain’s tape, but He chose to prioritize his physique. While the MLS defines if there will be a sanction, The game of stars is left without its greatest attraction And with a question about how this absence will impact on the relationship between the show, the figures and the football business in the US.