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Did Major League Soccer cut off its nose to spite its face when it suspended Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi? It’s certainly a possibility.
The league handed down a one-game suspension to the Argentine superstar after he skipped the All-Star Game earlier this week despite being healthy. It also suspended his star teammate, Jordi Alba, for the same thing.
“Inter Miami CF’s Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi will be unavailable for the club’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26, due to their absence at this week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game,” a statement from the league read. “Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match.”
But Major League Soccer may soon regret that decision.
Lionel Messi Expresses His Displeasure With MLS Suspesnion
“Lionel Messi is very upset, like we all are in the club, with the fact that they won’t be able to play tomorrow night,” Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said of the suspension prior to Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati. “But I think what we have to do as a club is to get together as one, have an attitude that is us against the world.
“I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian
“Obviously, it was not a positive reaction [from Messi and Alba]. They want to compete, they want to play games. That’s what they’re here for, to play and win. They understand the magnitude of tomorrow’s night’s game.”
FC Cincinnati entered the match with Miami atop the league table, with Messi and company seven points back with three matches in hand.
Lionel Messi Has Options If He Wants To Leave MLS
While Messi is undeniably on the backside of his career at 38 years old, he’s still in high demand.
According to a recent report by Spanish outlet MARCA, the Saudi Pro League recently made an extremely lucrative offer to lure Messi away from MLS.
“Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has tabled a blockbuster proposal for Lionel Messi, mirroring the record-breaking deal offered to Cristiano Ronaldo,” the report states. “The proposed contract is expected to be worth approximately $200 million per season, potentially making it one of the most lucrative contracts in football history.”
It goes on to say that Messi has his sights firmly on a strong season with Inter Miami. But that was before the latest drama.
Will that change things? Only time will tell.