Will Messi and Jordi Alba still play in the match against FC Cincinnati this weekend?
According to MLS (Major League Soccer) regulations, a player who withdraws without a valid reason from the All-Star Game (a friendly match between stars from MLS and Liga MX) will be penalized with a one-match ban. This happened to former player Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2018, when he decided not to participate for personal reasons. Meanwhile, Inter Miami cited Messi and Jordi Alba's reasons for withdrawing as being due to overwork and needing rest, according to the American newspaper, Miami Herald .
Messi is in excellent form recently, but he's also playing too many games - Photo: Reuters
Messi has played five consecutive 90-minute matches in just the last 15 days since the Club World Cup. For a 38-year-old star, and Jordi Alba (also 36), such a continuous schedule will have a significant physical impact. Furthermore, this was just a friendly match, and Inter Miami still has a packed schedule ahead, including MLS and Leagues Cup games (starting July 31st), according to Spanish newspaper Marca .
"Therefore, Inter Miami and coach Mascherano's decision is understandable, as they couldn't risk Messi and Jordi Alba participating in the MLS all-star game. They accepted even the possibility of penalties, just so these star players could rest and protect their health," Marca emphasized.
The withdrawal of Messi and Jordi Alba, as well as the absence of James Rodriguez from the Liga MX team, but with veteran defender Sergio Ramos participating, has disappointed many American fans. Many have criticized Messi for lacking sportsmanship . This is the second consecutive year the Argentinian star has withdrawn from the All-Star Game; last year he withdrew due to an injury sustained in the 2024 Copa America final.
Messi has played the full 90 minutes in five consecutive matches in just the last 15 days - Photo: Reuters
According to American media reports, although no convincing reason has been announced for their withdrawal from this year's match, Inter Miami's notification to the MLS organizers, expressing concerns about Messi and Jordi Alba's physical condition and potential overwork, may result in them being disciplinary action waived. This would be an exceptional case.
Remember, MLS desperately needs Messi's continued presence and contract extension with Inter Miami. Above all, these meaningless matches, which exhaust aging stars like Messi and Jordi Alba, are unnecessary. Former star Zlatan Ibrahimovic once criticized the idea of requiring him to participate in the All-Star game as ridiculous.
Inter Miami players have returned to training in preparation for their match against strong opponent FC Cincinnati at 6:15 AM on July 27th. This is the same opponent that defeated Inter Miami 3-0 on July 17th, and also the only loss for Messi and his teammates in their last five MLS matches. Messi and Jordi Alba were also absent from the training session on July 23rd.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/messi-bo-tran-all-star-game-mls-bat-luc-xu-phat-185250724100659219.htm
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