Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano will not be able to avail the services of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati.
The two footballers have been handed a one-game suspension by the Major League Soccer (MLS) for skipping the All-Star Game in Austin on Wednesday.
Mascherano told reporters on Friday that Messi had missed the previous fixture due to fatigue, while Alba is believed to have been dealing with a minor injury.
But since the duo didn’t get an approval from the league, they were liable for sanction.
MLS have notified both clubs about the decision, and they have released a statement that read: “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. 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.”
Miami’s co-owner Jorge Mas said Messi is “extremely upset” by the MLS decision to suspend him for the important home match against Cincinnati.
He said (per ESPN): “Lionel Messi is very upset, like we all are in the club, with the fact that they won’t be able to play tomorrow night. But I think what we have to do as a club is to get together as one, have an attitude that is us against the world.”
Messi and Alba have been two of the most important players for Miami this season.
The Argentine has scored 18 goals in 18 appearances for the Herons, while Alba has featured in 19 games, with six goal contributions.
The duo were also part of the Miami team that made it to the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup, where they lost to finalists Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has since played five matches for the MLS outfit this month, scoring eight times in the process.
His absence will be a blow for Miami, who are currently sitting fifth in the league standings with 41 points from 21 matches.
Stats from Transfermarkt