Messi, Alba suspended over absence at MLS All-Star no-show

Messi

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been suspended after the duo skipped Major League Soccer’s All-Star game earlier this week, the league said Friday.

MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday’s clash against FC Cincinnati “due to their absence” at this week’s All-Star showpiece.

“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” the league said in a brief statement.

Messi and Alba had both been selected to play for a combined MLS side in Wednesday’s game against a team drawn from Mexico’s Liga-MX as part of the league’s All-Star break. Punch