The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will not play in Wednesday's All-Star Game, and GOAL US writers debate what it means for MLS
AUSTIN, Texas – Who could have possibly seen this coming? After not showing up to training, going pretty much radio silent for 48 hours, and informing exactly no one publicly of his whereabouts, Lionel Messi has elected not to play in MLS All Star Game.
Perhaps we should have all anticipated this one. Messi gave no public indication that he would actually play in Wednesday's game, even though he was voted in by fans.
He said nothing about being excited to play. Javier Mascherano publicly pleaded for both Messi and Alba to rest their legs, even though both had been selected to participate in All-Star festivities. Is this a case of a legendary footballer who just shows up when he wants to? This is Messi. Messi does what he wants, especially after a congested 2025 playing schedule.
The league hasn't confirmed whether there will be suspensions, and Miami return to MLS play on Saturday. MLS has typically showcased its biggest stars at its midsummer showcase, with stars such as David Beckham, Kaka and Thierry Henry all featuring. The previous high-profile absence was when Zlatan Ibrahimovic decided to skip the 2018 game, which led to the then-LA Galaxy star being suspended.
So what does this mean? Well, the first is that there are some micro-narratives missing. There will be no Sergio Ramos-Messi reunion. That's a real shame. It might also mean fewer people in seats for the game. And more broadly, it might just be evidence that Argentine does not care for the league as much as it cares for him.
GOAL US writers break down Messi's absence, and debate what it means for the All Star Game in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty Images SportWhat's the impact on MLS of Messi not playing in the ASG?
Tom Hindle: Lol. Well, this really isn't good. MLS has long tried to push its All-Star Game as an event, constantly tweaking the format to keep fans and players engaged. What kind of a message does it send if your main man decides he doesn't fancy it? Once again, we have evidence that Messi is simply in another stratosphere of relevance than the league in which he plays. It's fair to wonder how many fans will actually fancy showing up.
Ryan Tolmich: It can't be overstated: for many, Messi is the only reason to tune in and, without him, they simply won't watch. It's such a bad, bad look for all involved, and once again illustrates just how unwilling Messi is to play ball in an unofficial league ambassador role. The MLS All-Star Game is worse without him in it, and the league is certainly worse off without Messi doing even the bare minimum when it comes to representing MLS to a global audience.
Alex Labidou: This is setting a potentially dangerous precedent for MLS and its stars for future All-Star games. Could you imagine the fallout if Aaron Judge or LeBron James decided to skip the All-Star games in their respective sports? It would dominate the media landscape for weeks. Yes, this has happened before with Zlatan, but the stakes are a lot higher in Messi's case – he has been the poster boy for the league, its Apple TV contract, and marketing to partnerships and fans. Walking around Q2 Stadium this week, there were several dozen fans rocking Argentina kits – clearly showing who they were there to see. Unfortunately, fans – some of whom may have traveled from afar – are the biggest losers.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportAre you at all surprised?
TH: No. You shouldn't be either.
RT: Not in the slightest. There were hints leading up to it, namely Mascherano saying that he wished his guys could rest this week. Again, Messi has never gone above and beyond to be a face of the league, and instead is content to do his own thing. That's his prerogative and he's earned that right. But that doesn't mean its a good thing for those who want to see him play.
AL: Surprised at Messi's decision? No, he's been allowed to operate by his own rules since joining MLS. Inter Miami appeared to ramp up his minutes ahead of the All-Star Game – even in blowouts, and then Mascherano made a plea that Messi rest and not play. The surprise is largely how the league has handled this situation from the start. They created an expectation – or at least didn't downplay it – that they couldn't guarantee. Despite Messi being the leading All-Star vote getter, he and Alba are no-shows.
GettyShould Messi be suspended?
TH: Well, yeah. The rules state that if you miss the ASG, then you lose a regular season game. That is what the league has insisted, and it's what they should do. It is probably worth admitting, at this point, that it might not be the worst thing for Messi himself, who might fancy a little extra rest. Whether the league has the spine to do it is another question.
RT: The rules are the rules, even if you are the GOAT. Unless Miami can produce a doctor's note, this is an unexcused absence, and that gets punished in any line of work. That said, Miami and Messi won't exactly be crestfallen – he can use the rest after going 90 multiple times over the last few weeks. In fact, they might just have rested him anyway, so there is no real punishment for Miami here.
AL: Yes, he and Alba should be suspended, but it shouldn't stop there. This also falls on Inter Miami and their ownership. Beckham, one of the club's owners, knows more than most the value of being visible, and the importance of branding. This decision hurts MLS's brand and Beckham, along with Jorge Mas, allowed it. This is also a team that will somehow invent a way to sign a $15 million player such as Rodrigo de Paul and add to a team that already has a full contingent of DP slots used – and on top of that also has Luis Suarez. MLS should be swift and firm with its decision-making and levy fines and suspensions.
Getty Images SportHas Messi done enough to uplift MLS?
TH: Lol (again.) No, BUT that was never part of the point. This is a different era to that of Henry and Beckham. Messi isn't an ambassador, and even if the league would to further capitalize on his publicity, it doesn't need it to thrive. So, would it be nice if he showed face a little more, worked with the media, and turned up to these events? Sure. But athlete autonomy is so much more significant than it was just a few years ago. Messi doesn't care, honestly, and he doesn't have to – even if the league doesn't like it. Unless he literally wrote the words "I, Lionel Messi, solemnly swear that I will show up to the MLS All Star game without question or protest" then he's in the clear.
RT: Not even close! Again, his prerogative because, in truth, he is bigger than MLS. It would just be nice of Messi "got it." Pele did. So, too, did Beckham, Henry and, in his own way, Zlatan. Messi doesn't have the personality of any of those guys, and you can't fault him for it, but showing up for an All-Star game is essentially the bare minimum – and he couldn't even be bothered to do that. MLS will be seething here as this relationship continues to look pretty one-sided.
AL: He's done a lot for Inter Miami, in which he reportedly has a stake, and the club's valuation has sky-rocketed since his arrival. But for MLS? It's a different story. Although Apple TV and MLS continue to keep streaming numbers private, multiple reports have suggested that viewership has fallen short of expectations. In addition, while Beckham, Henry and Kaka were incredibly visible during their time in the league – from media opportunities to being featured on late night TV shows – Messi has largely shied away from any opportunity to promote MLS. His media sessions have been minimal, something the league has not held him accountable for. There isn't much to connect with, when it comes to Messi, outside of the fact that he's putting up video game numbers in MLS. For the face of the league, that's not good enough, and its up to MLS Commissioner Don Garber to take a stand.