Inter Miami can move to within four points of the top of the MLS’s Eastern Conference by defeating leaders FC Cincinnati on Saturday (July 26), although they will be without talisman Lionel Messi and former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba for the clash at Chase Park.

Lionel Messi’s absence against Cincinnati explained

The Argentina captain has played the full 90 minutes of each of The Herons’ last 12 MLS games but won’t play against The Orange and Blue due to suspension. After much speculation, both Messi and Alba were handed one-match bans for refusing to take part in the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday (July 23).

“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,” read an official MLS statement. “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.”

MLS Commissioner Don Garber admitted to the Miami Herald that no player “has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi” but that the league “had to enforce” the policy.

Why didn’t Messi and Alba play in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game?

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano explained his veteran stars had pulled out of the game they had been voted into because of the team’s hectic recent schedule.

“There shouldn’t be a date in the schedule. It’s crazy. We’ve been playing four of the last five games away. We’ve been playing four away. We’ve been playing practically every three days.

“Stop for the weekend, the All-Star Game is played on the weekend, and we come back.”

Messi also missed the 2024 All-Star Game but had been given approval by the MLS due to an injury he was suffering from.

When will Lionel Messi play next for Inter Miami?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is expected to return for Inter Miami for their first Leagues Cup game against Liga MX team Atlas on Wednesday (July 30).

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