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Seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami after leaving Paris St-Germain in 2023 Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been given one-match bans for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game earlier this week. Both players missed Wednesday's match in Austin, Texas where the MLS squad posted a 3-1 win against Mexico's Liga MX All-Stars. "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, " MLS said in a statement on Friday. As a result, the duo will now miss Miami's home league fixture against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. MLS commissioner Don Garber said suspending Messi was a "very difficult decision". "I know Lionel Messi loves this league, " he added. "I don't think there's a player - or anyone - who has done more for MLS than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. "Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game and we had to enforce it. " Argentina legend Messi, 38, has scored 18 goals in as many appearances for Javier Mascherano's side in the MLS this season, while Alba, 36, has featured 19 times in the league. The duo, who also played together at Barcelona from 2012 to 2021, were also part of the Miami side's run to the quarter-finals of the Fifa Club World Cup. Since their exit from the tournament at the hands of eventual finalists Paris St-Germain, Miami have played five matches this month with Messi scoring eight times. Speaking to ESPN earlier in the day, Miami head coach Mascherano said forward "showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he's been playing. " "Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days. " Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Root passes Ponting as England dominate India Hey big spenders - Liverpool lead top-four domination of £1bn deals Catchin' Sachin - Joe's route to 15, 921 Robin Williams' life and career through ten crucial photographs Investigating the rise of medical conspiracy theories Film-maker Roger Ross Williams examines the American prison system Radio 4's multi award-winning ‘antidote to panel games’ Hey big spenders - Liverpool lead top-four domination of £1bn deals How England can beat Spain in Euro 2025 final 'He's got no fear' - Australia pin hopes against Lions on powerhouse Valetini Stokes, Crawley and Duckett star as England take control of fourth Test. Video Stokes, Crawley and Duckett star as England take control of fourth Test Champions and fearless youth - who's in England's World Cup squad? Drop James? Start Mead? How do England beat Spain? Video Drop James? Start Mead? How do England beat Spain? Tour de France route changed because of diseased cows Bonmati winner sends Spain to Euro 2025 final - highlights. Video Bonmati winner sends Spain to Euro 2025 final - highlights 'A win-win' - reaction in Barcelona to Rashford's arrival 'Greatest stadium on earth' - Lions set for debut at The 'G Is it time for injury replacements in Test cricket? Kelly's extra-time goal gives England victory over Italy Video Kelly's extra-time goal gives England victory over Italy Prem season to open with first Thursday night game Are Aston Martin dark horses to sign Verstappen? Harmanpreet and Goud star as India beat England to secure ODI series. Video Harmanpreet and Goud star as India beat England to secure ODI series 'Historic' football regulator bill becomes law - what it means for fans 'He did things-no one could do' - how 2005 Ashes 'reinvented' Flintoff. Video'He did things-no one could do' - how 2005 Ashes 'reinvented' Flintoff 'We felt like Premier League footballers' - Jones relives 2005 Ashes Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.