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Messi and Alba confirm they will not attend All-Star Game

Both Inter Miami stars will miss the event, possibly facing a one-match suspension.

July 23, 2025 at 04:15 PM

Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba not showing for MLS All-Star Game

Two soccer icons miss the annual showcase, raising issues about league policies.

Messi and Alba skip MLS All-Star Game

AUSTIN, Texas – Inter Miami players Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not participate in the MLS All-Star Game as confirmed by the league. Their absence from the Wednesday night game follows a similar no-show from James Rodríguez of Club León. Although MLS has a policy that penalizes players who choose not to attend without an injury by suspending them for one match, the league has yet to clarify whether Messi and Alba will face that penalty during their upcoming home match against FC Cincinnati. The policy has faced criticism in the past, particularly from former players like Zlatan Ibrahimović who labeled it as ‘ridiculous.’ While the league may struggle with attendance from stars, former Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is still set to play, adding a different flavor to the event.

Key Takeaways

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Messi and Alba both declined to play in the All-Star Game.

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Players not participating without injury risk a match suspension.

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Past infractions by stars like Ibrahimović highlight policy contention.

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The league struggles to maintain star presence at marquee events.

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Sergio Ramos confirmed to play, likely boosting event visibility.

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The situation exposes a potential rift between personal priorities and league expectations.

"I think it is ridiculous, but yeah, no comments."

Zlatan Ibrahimović criticized the policy punishing players who skip the All-Star Game.

"People are interested in different things. They lose on it, and for me it doesn’t matter."

Ibrahimović pointed out the disconnect between the league's expectations and players' priorities.

The absence of Messi and Alba highlights ongoing tensions around player participation in marquee events like the All-Star Game. As stars opt out, questions arise about the effectiveness of MLS's policies designed to enforce attendance. This trend could either indicate a growing disconnect between players and league obligations or signal the need for a policy reevaluation to better engage top talent. With some big names stepping back, how the league handles public relations and fan expectations may be critical moving forward.

Highlights

Messi prioritizes personal commitments over league expectations.
Alba joins Messi as another star absent from the All-Star Game.
Ibrahimović called the absence penalty ridiculous, questioning league practices.
Ramos is set to join the ranks of stars at the MLS All-Star Game.

Potential Player Risk Over League Policies

The decision of high-profile players to skip the All-Star Game raises concerns about league engagement and policy effectiveness, especially as previous suspensions have drawn criticism.

The future of league policies may depend on how well they adapt to player preferences.

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mls messi soccer jordi alba all-star game sports soccer

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