Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba could be suspended for one match after pulling out of Major League Soccer’s All-Star Game.
The two players were expected to feature in Wednesday night’s game in Austin, where an MLS team was set to play against Liga MX stars from Mexico.
However, Inter Miami informed league officials that Messi and Alba would not take part.
According to MLS rules, players who withdraw from the All-Star Game without a valid reason, such as injury, risk a one-game ban.
A league source told AFP that no decision will be made until MLS speaks with Inter Miami to confirm why the players pulled out.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano had hinted earlier that he preferred Messi and Alba to rest. “The players are called up. I’d prefer they rest, but it’s not my decision,” Mascherano said over the weekend.
Messi, 38, and Alba, 36, have both struggled with injuries recently. Inter Miami have also had a busy schedule, including a FIFA Club World Cup appearance earlier this year.
