Lionel Messi did not go to the MLS All-Star Game. Now the soccer superstar will not be playing for Inter Miami in tonight’s marquee game against the best team in MLS.
The World Cup champion and nine-time Ballon d’Or winner was suspended, along with teammate Jordi Alba, for one game. It so happens that suspension will come when Inter Miami, the defending Supporters’ Shield winners, hosts FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the league table.
MLS commissioner Don Garber told USA TODAY it was a “complicated” decision. The reigning league MVP, Messi is far and away the league’s biggest star and is tied for the league lead with 18 goals and is tied for eighth with nine assists.
“I know Leo Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s been a player, or frankly just about anyone, who has done more for MLS than Leo Messi has,” Garber said. “But we have a long-standing policy that is related to participation for all players. And unfortunately, I had to enforce the policy. It was a difficult decision to make.”
Inter Miami will have to take on the league leaders without two of its best players. They lost 3-0 on July 16 at Cincinnati with Messi seeing two shots on target.
Here’s what to know about Messi’s status for tonight’s game, as well as how to watch on TV and streaming:
Is Lionel Messi playing tonight?
No. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were suspended one game by MLS. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas said the two were “extremely upset” about the decision.
“He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected. I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long term,” Mas said of Messi during a news conference, referring to ongoing contract negotiations. Messi’s MLS contract expires at the end of the season.
Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing today?
Messi and Alba were supposed to take part in the MLS All-Star Game on July 23 in Austin, Texas. But Inter Miami decided to not send them to the game amid a jam-packed stretch of games: The team had just played nine games over 35 days and play another 10 games over the next 34 days. In addition, Messi has played every minute in all but one of the club’s past 23 matches since April 2.
The biggest hang-up was the lack of advance notice Inter Miami gave the league. Their absence was not announced until 8 hours before the game against stars from Mexico’s Liga MX. Mas said he had talked with the league earlier in the week but added communication “wasn’t handled ideally.”
Watch Inter Miami games live on Apple TV
Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati start time
The match between Inter Miami and league-leading FC Cincinnati is set to kick off at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26 from Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Where to watch Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati: TV channel, streaming info
Inter Miami vs. FC Cincinnati will air on FS1 with streaming available on Apple TV.
Contributing: Safid Deen, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Is Messi playing today? Why Inter Miami star is suspended for tonight’s game
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
