MIAMI (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – Lionel Messi is “extremely disappointed” after he, like his Inter Miami teammate, Jordi Alba, was suspended for one match for not participating in the Major League Soccer All-Star Game, for which he had been called up. The two former Barcelona players missed Wednesday’s match in Austin, Texas, and, by regulation, will have to serve one-match suspensions in today’s match against FC Cincinnati.
This sanction took the Argentine by surprise. “Leo is very displeased, extremely displeased, as expected,” said Jorge Mas, one of the owners of Inter Miami. “I hope it doesn’t have a long-term impact. Will it have an initial impact on the players’ perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely, yes, there’s no doubt about it.” Alba and Messi’s reaction “was exactly what you’d expect from two competitive players who don’t understand the decision, who don’t understand how missing a friendly match can directly lead to a suspension. The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it.”
MLS Commissioner Don Garber called Messi’s suspension a “very difficult decision. I know Lionel loves this league. I don’t think there’s a player—or anyone for that matter—who has done more for MLS than Messi. Unfortunately, we have a long-standing rule regarding All-Star Game participation, and we had to enforce it.”
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
