Lionel Messi could face a suspension after skipping the 2025 MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday evening in Austin, Texas. The Inter Miami ace was set to play in the big game against the Liga MX All-Stars but didn’t feature. His clubmate, Jordi Alba, was also absent from the match at Q2 Stadium.

Will Lionel Messi Be Suspended?

A representative for an MLS team confirmed that the duo’s absence had been reported to the league by Inter Miami. This time, no such official injury has been mentioned by Messi and as per MLS policy, players who are neither medically excused to play the All-Star Game can be charged with a one-match ban in the regular league. If this rule is applied, Messi will miss Inter Miami’s upcoming match against FC Cincinnati at home on Saturday.

What Does The MLS Commissioner Say?

MLS Commissioner Don Garber refrained from confirming whether a suspension is imminent but did acknowledge Messi’s packed playing schedule in recent weeks.

“Anything that’s going to happen as relates to next weekend, we’re not going to talk about today,” Garber told reporters. “The game is not until this coming weekend, and we don’t need to answer that. We’re managing through this process as we speak.”

Lionel Messi: The Star Of Inter Miami

Regardless of being 38, Messi played nine games in the last 35 days, four in the FIFA Club World Cup and five in MLS, playing 90 minutes in each game. His performances have continued to be good; last weekend, for example, he scored a brace as Inter Miami defeated the New York Red Bulls.

Messi now sits atop the MLS scoring table jointly with Nashville’s Sam Surridge, each with 18 goals. What is perhaps even more impressive is that Argentina has netted two or more goals in six of its previous seven games, with no diminishing signs.