Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba are both absent from the 2025 MLS All-Star match against the Liga MX All-Star team. |
When Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba both missed the 2025 MLS All-Star game against the Liga MX All-Stars, the news not only disappointed fans but also raised big questions about the balance between the league's image and player rights.
Messi and Alba – two of Inter Miami’s brightest names – were both voted into the All-Star team by overwhelming votes from fans and media. However, both decided not to attend, causing a headache for MLS organizers.
Why did Messi and Alba refuse?
The answer is not complicated. At 38, Messi is no longer a player who can play at a high intensity and still maintain his peak performance. Meanwhile, Jordi Alba is also entering the twilight of his career, and it is completely understandable that he would prioritize rest to save his strength for the important stage of the season.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has publicly expressed his desire for his key players to rest: “The players are called up, but I want them to rest. This is not my decision, but it is what they really need.” Mascherano understands that just one injury or overload will cost Inter Miami heavily in the MLS title race.
According to MLS rules, any player who refuses to participate in the All-Star Game without a valid medical reason can be suspended for one domestic game. However, MLS has been soft on Messi and Alba. Not only because of their huge influence, but also because the All-Star Game needs stars like Messi to create media buzz.
The fact that the organizers did not immediately impose a penalty shows that MLS is standing between two lines: wanting to protect the image of the tournament, but also not being able to lose world-class promotional faces like Messi.
Messi is 38 years old, so every match with him must be carefully calculated. |
The All-Star Game format is foreign to European football, where most players focus on their club and national team schedules. In North America, the All-Star event is a spectacle, entertainment, and audience attraction. But because of that, players - especially stars in their twilight years - often see it as a "burden" rather than an honor.
Messi missed the 2024 All-Star Game due to an ankle injury, while Alba was still present in the skills challenge and the Liga MX match. However, this year both chose to sit out, partly because Inter Miami is struggling in MLS, partly because the event has little professional value.
Impact on MLS Image
There is no denying that MLS has been hugely popular over the past two years thanks to Messi. He has not only helped Inter Miami become a phenomenon, but has also raised the profile of the league globally. Any game featuring Messi is packed, with broadcast and commercial revenue soaring.
Therefore, Messi's refusal to participate in the All-Star tournament will affect the image of the tournament to some extent. This year's MLS All-Star tournament is expected to be a top performance between American and Liga MX stars, but Messi's absence will significantly reduce the heat.
MLS and Liga MX have faced off three times in All-Star format, with MLS winning two but losing 4-1 in 2024. This year, Liga MX has Sergio Ramos on the field - a name that should be enough to draw attention. However, without Messi, this matchup is clearly missing its number one “star attraction.”
Messi's influence in MLS is huge. |
The All-Star rejection could be seen as a message to MLS: The schedule is too tight and the spectacle should not be a priority, especially when players need to focus on important club matches. It is also a warning to organizers that the tournament's appeal cannot depend forever on a few superstars.
The decision of Messi and Alba will certainly disappoint fans, but it reflects the reality that modern professional football requires a balance between commercial and professional. Inter Miami needs Messi at his best, not in a showpiece match.
The question is: What can MLS do to maintain the All-Star appeal while ensuring the rights of its players? The answer may lie in adjusting the format and schedule of the event, so that stars like Messi can participate without sacrificing their health and performance.
Source: https://znews.vn/messi-noi-khong-mls-lung-tung-post1571137.html
Comment (0)