New York Red Bulls v Inter Miami CF

Mas defended Messi and Jordi Alba's ASG absences, claimed MLS's suspension rule is outdated and detrimental to the league

WHAT HAPPENED?

Calling MLS rules for sanctioning players who skip its All-Star game "draconian," Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas on Friday said that Lionel Messi was "extremely upset' by the league's decision to suspend him and teammate Jordi Alba for their absences at Wednesday's midsummer event in Austin, Texas.

Major League Soccer confirmed on Friday that both Messi and Alba have been suspended one match each for skipping the event, and neither will be available when Inter Miami host FC Cincinnati Saturday night. Per league policy, "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."

Mas claimed it was the club's decision to let both Messi and Alba skip the ASG, keeping their long-term health and fitness in mind amid a congested schedule, and that the players' were upset by the league's actions.

“Obviously it was not a positive reaction,” Mas said of the players' response to the sanctions. “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. So the reaction was exactly as expected out of two competitive players who don’t understand the decision. Who don’t understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension. The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it.”

Mas said he was "hopeful" the discipline doesn't impact ongoing contract negotiations with Messi, who's current deal expires at the end of 2025.

“He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected,” Mas said of Messi. “I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long-term. Will it have an impact initially, in the players’ perception of how the league rules work? Absolutely no doubt.”

MLS commissioner Don Garber praised Messi's overall contributions, but said the league had to follow its policies.

“The most important thing is I know Leo Messi loves this league, and MLS is an entirely different league because of the years he’s been here helping to show the world what MLS is and what it’s capable of being,” Garber told the Athletic. “Nobody has done more for Major League Soccer than Lionel Messi. Not just what he’s done off the field, but what he’s done on the field. Every game is a must-see match. I fully understand and respect and admire his commitment to Inter Miami.

"His decision is not one that I really can argue with whatsoever and I understand it. But unfortunately we have a longstanding policy relating to player participation in the All-Star Game and we had to enforce that policy. It was a very, very difficult decision, but one I hope both [Messi] and everyone else can understand and respect. He has shown up for his club, for his teammates, for our league time and time again and I respect his decision.”

Garber added that MLS plans to re-evaluate the policy.

“We are going to take a very hard look at the rule moving forward," he said. "It is important to all of our players and all of our fans that we have a policy that reflects and involves the realities of our league and its players going forward. I am committed to working with all of our players and to start working with Leo Messi to adapt this rule so it makes sense going forward.”

Mas took exception to the All-Star Game participation requirements.

“I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian," Mas said. "I believe it’s a bad rule, but it’s a rule nonetheless. And it’s a bad rule because I think it puts the players in an untenable position to have to choose between participating in an All-Star festivity, which is an exhibition match, or choosing a regular-season game that I think matters. And I admire both Lionel and Jordi for always thinking of club first.”

Inter Miami CF v Nashville SC

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Mas said the league should have taken into consideration the congestion in Miami's schedule in making its ruling.

“During the course of this year, we have to date played, already, 33 games,” he said. “I consider each and every game that Inter Miami plays an All-Star Game for obvious reasons. And I wanted today to express our full support, both to Lionel and to Jordi, as a decision for them to sit this week was a decision made by the club. And I think that that’s an important point.

"They were coming off a run of nine games in 35 days. Hard games. The last two games previous to this Wednesday were games on the road on Wednesday at Cincinnati, on Saturday in New York. We’re facing a game tomorrow, and we’re facing a course of 10 games over the next 34 days."

Mas added that the club and both players discussed traveling to Austin, but ultimately decided against it for "obvious reasons, because it would take away from their preparation."

He admitted that "the communication on all ends probably wasn’t handled ideally" but added that “it was all a very short time frame.”

Mas added he believes the current rule not only hurts the players, but the fans, the league and their media partner in Apple.

“I allude to what the commissioner said in his statement, that the rule needs to be looked at,” Mas said. “I expressed our disagreement with the decision that the league made, and I had conversations with the commissioner this morning and through late last night. But notwithstanding that the decision is what it is and stands with MLS. But I want to assure everyone that you know, Lionel and Jordi have acted in a way commensurate with what the club would want.”

He said he hopes that the league finds a way to make the All-Star Game a spectacle, without "forcing" players to choose between fitness and health for regular-season matches or attending the ASG itself.

“I understand schedule congestion, but we have to find a way where the All-Star Game gives players some time before and/or after,” Mas said. “There are, I believe, six games this evening in Major League Soccer. That is less than 48 hours since playing in an All-Star game. That’s untenable and not right and not fair to the players and the clubs that sent players to the All-Star Game.

"So the ideal situation would be that, either before or after the All-Star Game, as Javier Mascherano said this morning, the players have some days off so that they can enjoy their time at an All-Star Game. Because ultimately, it’s an exhibition, but it should be something enjoyable among players in Major League Soccer.”

WHAT MAS SAID

Mas also backed Messi, saying the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to elevate MLS on a global platform.

“There’s no doubt that there’s a before and after Lionel Messi in this league,” Mas said. “Lionel Messi, he is different. He has completely changed the economics of this league, for every single club, every team, every sponsor, the league, media, etc. He’s important. But at the end of the day, Lionel Messi wants to play in competitive matches. … corporate sponsors are already taking advantage of Lionel Messi’s presence in the league, because they are league sponsors. So it’s a question of, how do you make the MLS All-Star Game an event that does not kill the management load on their physical ability to perform. You can still have players attend, and it’s a scheduling issue with that."

Mas stressed that Messi's presence has a halo effect for the league, across a number of metrics.

“Lionel Messi has created, for the first time in the league history, $10 million gates where he goes," he said. "Clubs change stadiums so Lionel Messi can perform and play, and Inter Miami can play. And that’s an amazing asset and an amazing thing for the league. I’m just hopeful that in the future we can manage the All-Star Game scheduling with the obvious benefits that Lionel has brought to our league.”

Mas also noted that the South Beach club plans to make multiple additions this transfer window, and that they are looking to "take advantage" of the window to "strengthen our roster."

The club has been heavily linked with a move for Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul, and the Atletico Madrid midfielder is reportedly close to finalizing a contract with the South Beach club.

New York Red Bulls v Inter Miami CF

WHAT NEXT?

Inter Miami takes on FC Cincinnati Saturday night. FCC currently sits atop the Supporters' Shield Standings and the top of the Eastern Conference. Last week they defeated Miami 3-0 at home.