Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano has claimed the MLS would have allowed Lionel Messi to skip the All-Star Game if Inter Miami had been on the road this weekend.
Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who is by far the league’s most high-profile player and attracts huge crowds to Miami games, was banned alongside team-mate and fellow Barcelona icon Jordi Alba for their 0-0 home draw against second-placed Cincinnati on Saturday.
“What if the game had been away?” Mascherano asked, having operated without his top scorer because the Miami captain missed the All-Star Game in Austin without permission from the MLS.
“They would also have asked for Leo not to play because when it comes to filling stadiums and making money there, no-one complains. The thing is that this game was at home. That’s the problem.”
Lionel Messi ban: Inter Miami ‘adapt’
Messi was said to have been “very, very angry” and “extremely upset” to have received the one-match ban alongside Alba for missing the match, which required a mid-season round trip of more than 2,200 miles.
“Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber on Friday, via the Miami Herald.
“It was a very difficult decision. That said, we’re going to take a hard look at the policy moving forward.”
Mascherano said he “didn’t come here to criticize the MLS or change the rules”. “Even though I don’t agree with the decision – I don’t agree with it at all – we adapted and the team played a great game,” he added, reflecting on the result against opponents who won 3-0 at home to Miami on July 17.
“What I do find strange is that one thing is said one day [sympathizing with player schedules] and the next a completely different decision is made.
“We all heard what was said – that it was understandable, given the number of games he had been playing.”
Lionel Messi injuries: ‘I don’t lie’, says Mascherano
Messi and Alba were banned because they did not have injuries ruling them out of the All-Star Game, although Mascherano had said that the 38-year-old was suffering “discomfort”, while the wideman was carrying a knock.
“I don’t lie,” said Mascherano, accusing a reporter of suggesting that the situation had reflected poorly on him.
“What I explained is that Leo didn’t train with the group. He had trained separately, like Jordi. Now, whether you want to believe me or not is your problem.
“It doesn’t leave me in a bad light at all because since I’m telling the truth, the problem is on the other side.”
Inter Miami penalties
Mascherano questioned why Miami are yet to be awarded a penalty in 2025 while every other MLS club has received at least two.
“The only thing is that a team with as many goals as us in the MLS – and I think we’re the ones who generate the most chances, if not in the top five, right? – in 22 matchdays, we’ve had zero penalties,” he said.
“Weird, huh? I’ll leave it to you to think about.
“You have to focus on what you can control and what I can control is getting the most out of the players I have available.
“We adapted to [losing Messi and Alba]. We clearly deserved to win, so let’s look forward and keep going.”
RODRIGO DE PAUL SIGNING ‘HISTORIC’
Miami had 13 of the 21 attempts between the teams at Chase Stadium and kept 15-goal Cincy top scorer Evander from netting.
“We must have had five or six very good clear chances and their goalkeeper [Roman Celentano] was very good,” observed Mascherano, who saw Uruguay all-time top scorer Luis Suarez failed to score for a sixth successive MLS game.
“The result is bad because we deserved to win.”
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, who has played 62 games for Argentina alongside Messi and joined Miami initially on loan from Atletico Madrid this week, was introduced to the crowd before the game.
“Rodrigo’s signing is clearly a historic signing, for a world champion to come at his age – 31 – in his prime,” said Mascherano.
“It speaks to this club’s ambition to continue growing, to continue enhancing the value of this league, even though it often receives mistreatment or disrespect.
“The club keeps investing, keeps trying to add value to the team and, above all, to the league. I hope he helps us as we think he will.”
Lionel Messi banned vs Cincinnati
Messi has played every minute in 22 of Miami’s last 23 games in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in six of their last seven MLS games, including a run of five straight.
Messi and Alba returned to training on Friday and were expected to be in Miami’s starting side against Cincinnati, who are seven points ahead of them and one behind Philadelphia.
Miami have three matches in hand because of their involvement in the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup in June.
Last season’s Supporters’ Shield winners played five matches in 14 days from July 5, including that defeat at Cincinnati on July 16 — the only game along the way in which Messi did not score.
Lionel Messi Stats
Messi is the reigning MLS MVP, with no player in the league outscoring his 18 goals.
He recovered from the defeat to Cincinnati by scoring twice and setting up another goal in their 5-1 win at New York Red Bulls on July 19.
Miami are fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi contract, salary
Messi remains the most high-profile player in the world alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and has an optional extra year in his Miami contract.
Speaking to Mark after Messi’s arrival was first announced in July 2023, co-owner Jorge Mas said the four-time Champions League winner would earn up to $60 million a year.
Messi’s purported playing salary of up to $20.4m is considerably more than any other player in the US and is heftily increased by holding equity in the club and payments from league broadcasters Apple.
The sporting great has spoken of his happiness at Miami and hinted that he will sign a contract extension.
Lionel Messi Inter Miami record
The club was formed by a group including former England captain David Beckham in 2018 and made Messi one of the most prestigious MLS signings of all time five years later, winning their first trophy with the help of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and Uruguay all-time top scorer Luis Suarez when they triumphed in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
In his first full campaign with the club, Messi averaged an MLS-record 2.18 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2024 to help Miami win their first Supporters’ Shield.
He has 24 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions in 2025, with former Argentina midfielder Mascherano taking over as boss before the start of the season.
