July 28 – Major League Soccer (MLS) has managed to shoot itself in the foot spectacularly, slapping, Lionel Messi, its biggest draw with a suspension for missing an exhibition match.
Inter Miami, co-owner, Jorge Mas didn’t mince words about MLS’s heavy-handed approach, saying: “I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian.”
And to be fair, he’s absolutely right. Banning Messi from a crucial clash against Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati because he skipped Wednesday’s All-Star Game feels like interfering with the competitive integrity of the league.
“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,” Mas revealed. “Obviously, it was not a positive reaction [from Messi and Alba]. They want to compete, they want to play games.”
But here’s the question nobody’s asking: is Messi secretly relieved and this provides cover for a well-deserved rest?
The Argentine has been run ragged. Nine matches in 36 days across Concacaf Champions League, MLS regular season, and FIFA Club World Cup commitments. At 38, even the greatest player ever needs careful managing. Missing Saturday’s game might be exactly what his aging legs require, regardless of the frustrating circumstances.
Miami made the smart call prioritising player welfare over the All-Star game as much as the league signifies its importance. “I wanted to express today our full support for Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, as the decision for them to sit out this week was made by the club,” Mas confirmed.
The scheduling congestion is genuinely “untenable”, as Mas put it. Forcing players to participate in exhibition matches between competitive fixtures asks uncomfortable questions about the league.
Commissioner Don Garber’s promise to “take a hard look at the policy moving forward” feels like he knows a misstep has occurred. “I’m committed to working with our players to determine how the rule should evolve.”
With Messi’s contract negotiations up in the air and with his current deal expiring after this season, Mas admitted concern: “Will it have an impact initially in the player’s perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely, no doubt.”
MLS desperately needs Messi more than he needs them. Suspending your marquee attraction for prioritising his fitness over a what is a meaningless showcase game could be considered terrible business. The league should be protecting its golden goose, not punishing it for being sensibly managed.
Sometimes the best decisions look like disasters in the short term, but this feels like unforced error territory.
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