Major League Soccer announced its decision to ban Argentine superstar Lionel Messi. The MLS arrived at this decision after Messi and his ex-Barça teammate Jordi Alba decided to skip the MLS All-Star Game.
Messi’s MLS Impact
Lionel Messi announced his decision to join Inter Miami in July 2023. It is clear that the World Champion and 8-time Ballon d’Or winner is the league’s main attraction.
- Record New Attendance: 23,234 per match.
- Record Sellouts: 213 sellouts.
- Rise in Sponsorship Revenue: 13% year-to-date increase in sponsorship revenue.
- Social Media Growth: 26% rise in followers on TikTok, a 21% increase on YouTube, and a 10% jump on Instagram.
The Messi Effect transcends these mere metrics. He has established the MLS in front of the global audience. The United States has always been dominated by basketball, American football, and baseball. Now, the country is warming up to and loving the sport of soccer.
MLS’s Reason Behind The Suspension
The MLS All-Star game is an exhibition match. It is a match played between selected players from the MLS and from another league. This year’s edition saw the MLS All-Stars triumph over Liga MX All-Stars 3-1. The suspension arrived after the former Barcelona duo of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba skipped the match. The MLS released the following statement.
- “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.”
Was This The Right Decision by The MLS?
Messi and Jordi Alba were suspended for their game this weekend against FC Cincinnati. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate. The Inter Miami club owner Jorge Mas, called this punishment “draconian.” He went on to say, “He’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected,” in respect to Messi’s reaction.
Messi’s team argued that no one has done more for the MLS compared to Messi. It’s seen as disrespectful to harshly punish him for missing an exhibition match. Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano also took aim at MLS’s actions. He went on to state that this decision would likely not take place if it were an away game, as it would make it harder for the league to sell tickets and fill stadiums.
The MLS commissioner, Don Garber, maintained his stance. Although he acknowledged Messi’s commitment to the league, the decision had to stand. He argued that there was a long-standing policy of participation in the All-Star Game, and it had to be enforced.
Written by – C Thillai Ritvik
