Why isn't Lionel Messi playing in the MLS All-Star Game?
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has had himself a busy summer between national team duties, the Club World Cup and regular season MLS matches. But he remains the biggest star in MLS, so it makes plenty of sense to expect to watch Messi at Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game.
Yet, Messi sees that differently.
After Messi didn't show up to Austin for Tuesday's skills challenge against the Liga MX All-Stars, it was confirmed that the superstar would also skip Wednesday's All-Star Game at Q2 Stadium. Messi's teammate and former Barcelona star Jordi Alba would also skip the match.
The reason? According to soccer insider Fabrizio Romano, Messi simply wanted to rest after playing 90 minutes in five straight matches.
Is Messi allowed to skip the All-Star Game?
Technically, he's allowed to skip the game because he has free will. He can't be forced on a plane to Austin and play in a match that doesn't mean anything. But Messi's absence would still be in violation of league rules.
In an effort to keep star players from opting out of the All-Star Game, MLS policy calls for a one-game suspension if a healthy player skips out on the festivities.
MLS hasn't confirmed that Messi will face that punishment. But if we assume that the league doesn't bend the rules in service of Messi, the Inter Miami star would be unavailable for Saturday's match against FC Cincinnati.
Back in 2018, Zlatan Ibrahimović was suspended for skipping the All-Star Game, and he criticized the policy. Via The Athletic:
'I think it is ridiculous, but yeah, no comments,' Ibrahimović told reporters at the time. 'They do whatever they want. I come from a different world, I come from the real world.
The MLS All-Star Game against Liga MX will kick off at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and air on Apple TV.
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