Miami boss: Don't agree with Messi ban 'at all'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Inter Miami caput manager Javier Mascherano criticized MLS' determination to suspend Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for Saturday's location lucifer against FC Cincinnati for failing to enactment successful the All-Star game, questioning whether the aforesaid ruling would person been made if Miami had alternatively being playing a roadworthy game.

League rules authorities that immoderate subordinate who does not enactment successful the All-Star Game without anterior support from the league is ineligible to vie successful his club's adjacent match, forcing Alba and Messi to the sidelines.

"I person an sentiment connected what happened but I didn't travel present to knock MLS oregon alteration the rule. We didn't accommodate to what happened, beyond the information that I don't hold with the determination -- I don't hold with it astatine each -- but, well, we've adapted," said Mascherano.

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"Now I person a question: What would've happened if today's crippled was an distant game? Did that besides forestall Leo from playing? Because to capable stadiums and marque money, nary 1 complains, right? The happening is, this crippled was astatine home. I'll permission that to you."

Before the All-Star Game, MLS commissioner Don Garber acknowledged that Inter Miami was suffering from the consequences of a congested docket that saw them play 4 games astatine the FIFA Club World Cup, portion Alba suffered an wounded pursuing the team's crippled against the New York Red Bulls connected July 19. Still, the league chose to uphold the rule.

"What I bash find unusual is that 1 time they accidental 1 happening and the adjacent time they marque a wholly antithetic decision," Mascherano said. "Because we each heard what was said, that it was understandable, fixed the fig of games he'd been playing. We didn't inquire for it to beryllium handled differently."

Mascherano's comments travel those of Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas, who connected Friday called the determination "draconian" and said that Messi was "extremely upset."

Despite the absences, Inter Miami held FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw astatine Chase Stadium connected Saturday night. The squad besides presented caller signing Rodrigo De Paul anterior to footwear off, introducing the World Cup victor and Messi's Argentina teammate to fans.

"Rodrigo de Paul's signing is intelligibly different historical signing, a caller historical signing for this club. He's a satellite champion, astatine his existent age, 31, successful his prime," said Mascherano.

"I deliberation it speaks to this club's ambition, to proceed increasing arsenic a club, to purpose to proceed adding worth to this league, adjacent though it's often mistreated. Well, the nine continues investing, continues trying to heighten the team's value, and supra all, I anticipation helium helps america arsenic we deliberation helium will. We privation them each the champion successful this caller phase."

Inter Miami volition present hole to debut successful the 2025 variation of Leagues Cup connected July 30 against Liga MX squad Atlas.