Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba avoid sanctions over MLS All-Star snub

Former Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba could person been banned for 1 lucifer aft sitting retired All-Star match.

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba person not been sanctioned for skipping Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game successful Austin, Texas, their manager confirms.

Both players were voted into the showcase by fans and the media, but neither featured successful the MLS squad’s 3-1 triumph against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars.

League rules stipulate that players who take to opt retired of the All-Star Game without an approved aesculapian crushed tin look a one-match suspension.

Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano pointed retired connected Friday that his squad had “played the astir games truthful acold this semester by far” and Messi “showed mean fatigue from the fig of games and minutes he’s been playing”, according to ESPN.

“Look, players ever person discomfort, particularly erstwhile they play each 3 days. But luckily, [Messi] is returning today,” Mascherano said connected Friday. “Let’s anticipation helium tin bid alongside the radical truthful we tin number connected some of them for tomorrow’s game. We haven’t received immoderate [sanction].”

Inter Miami big FC Cincinnati connected Saturday nighttime astatine Chase Stadium successful Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Mascherano said Messi, 38, and Alba, 36, volition beryllium disposable for the lucifer depending connected their fittingness levels.

Messi shares the MLS apical scorer honours with 18 goals and has 10 assists successful 17 league matches this season. The Argentinian guardant besides made six starts successful the CONCACAF Champions Cup and 4 successful the FIFA Club World Cup.

Alba has 1 extremity and 8 assists successful 18 MLS matches. The Spanish defender made 7 starts successful the Champions Cup and 1 successful the Club World Cup.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies