Former Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not face disciplinary action after skipping the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin, Texas. The news, confirmed by Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano, brings relief to fans concerned about a potential one-match suspension. Both players, once icons during the Messi era at Barcelona, were initially selected by fans and media but did not appear in the All-Stars’ 3-1 win over Liga MX.
According to league rules, players who skip the All-Star event without valid medical exemptions risk automatic suspensions. However, Mascherano explained that Messi was experiencing normal fatigue from an intense schedule. “He’s been playing a lot. Luckily, he’s back now,” said Mascherano, adding that no official sanctions had been issued. This outcome echoes the resilience shown during the height of Messi in Barcelona, where consistent performance rarely faltered, even under pressure.
Messi in Barcelona: Fitness Concerns Echo Past Patterns
During Friday’s press briefing, Mascherano highlighted Inter Miami’s demanding season. With the club playing more matches than any other MLS team this semester, both Messi and Alba have logged heavy minutes. The coach noted that Messi’s fatigue was nothing unusual, stating, “Players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days.” This mirrors past moments with Messi in Barcelona, where managing his fitness was critical to sustaining peak form.
Despite being 38, Messi remains a central figure for Inter Miami, topping the MLS scoring chart with 18 goals and adding 10 assists in 17 league games. The workload is reminiscent of his prime years—when Lionel Messi with Barcelona led the team to multiple league titles, balancing domestic and European competitions seamlessly. Fans remember Lionel Messi in Barcelona jersey not just for the goals, but for his relentless work rate.
Messi in Barcelona: Legacy Continues in MLS
The story of Messi in Barcelona is one of loyalty, brilliance, and dominance. Though now wearing Inter Miami pink, echoes of his Barcelona days remain. With six starts in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and four in the FIFA Club World Cup, Messi continues to demonstrate his unmatched football IQ. His former teammate Alba has also contributed with one goal and eight assists in 18 MLS appearances.
This commitment to excellence echoes the era of Lionel Messi in a Barcelona jersey, where precision and creativity ruled the pitch. Mascherano’s confidence in the duo’s availability for Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati reinforces the club’s ambition to lean on experience. As discussions around Messi at Barcelona reemerge in media circles, Messi’s current performance shows that his elite mentality hasn’t changed since the golden days of Lionel Messi with Barcelona.
While some speculate about the possibility of Messi returning to Barcelona in the future, the focus remains on his present impact in MLS. Still, the legend of Messi in Barcelona continues to shape every match he plays—on either side of the Atlantic.
