Major League Soccer (MLS) commissioner Don Garber declined to comment on whether Lionel Messi would face a suspension after missing the league’s All-Star match, insisting, “we don’t need to talk about that now.”
The Inter Miami forward, along with teammate Jordi Alba, was scheduled to feature in Wednesday night’s All-Star Game in Austin, where a combined MLS XI defeated a Liga MX team 3-1. However, news emerged earlier that day that neither Messi nor Alba would take part — with no clear reason offered at the time.
Under MLS rules, players selected for the All-Star Game must participate unless excused for valid reasons, such as injury. A failure to appear without such an exemption typically results in a one-match ban. That has raised questions about whether Messi could now miss Miami’s upcoming fixture against FC Cincinnati this weekend.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s game, Garber avoided giving a definitive answer. “Anything that’s going to happen as relates to next weekend, we’re not going to talk about today,” he said. “We’re managing through this process as we speak.”
While Messi showed no visible signs of injury during his two-goal performance against New York Red Bulls last weekend, Garber noted the demanding schedule the Argentine has recently endured.
“Miami’s had a schedule unlike any other team,” Garber said. “Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t. So we have to manage through that as a league.”
Since 15 june, Messi has played nine matches in 35 days — including four in the Club World Cup and five in domestic competition — completing the full 90 minutes each time.
Garber added that while player welfare is important, the league’s rules must be respected. “We would have loved to have Leo here, and to have every player that was selected here,” he said. “At the same time, we do have rules. And we have to manage that as well.”
The commissioner acknowledged the league should have been informed earlier about Messi’s absence: “We should have known earlier. We should have addressed it earlier. No doubt about that.”
Miami coach Javier Mascherano had hinted over the weekend that he preferred Messi and Alba to rest, though no formal decision from the club had been communicated publicly.
“The players are called up. I’d prefer they rest, but it’s not my decision,” Mascherano had said. “As far as I know, everything continues as normal.”
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in 2023 after leading Argentina to World Cup glory, has significantly boosted the league’s global visibility and ticket sales. His arrival has drawn comparisons to David Beckham’s impact during his time at LA Galaxy.
Asked whether Beckham remained the most influential figure in MLS history, Garber said: “MLS wouldn’t be what it is today without David Beckham, but MLS wouldn’t be what it is today without Leo Messi either.”