Lionel Messi will face a one-match ban in Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game, despite being selected for the event.

Argentina’s icon has produced flashy throwback performances in recent weeks for Inter Miami, setting U.S. goalscoring records and providing jaw-dropping assists for his teammates, the likes of which have not been seen at a club level for Leo since his days at Barcelona.

However, despite being named as one of the superstars for the All-Star matchup, which has been a MLS tradition in various forms since the league’s inception in 1996, the 38-year-old will not journey to the event. His former Barcelona and now Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba has also chosen not to play, meaning a suspension is also imminent for the Spaniard. 

The All-Star game in its current guise pits the top players from the MLS against the best from Mexico’s Liga MX. Unless they are injured, the league’s rules state that players must participate in the match-up if selected or face a ban in their club team’s next outing.

Last year, Messi was also selected for the All-Star game, but had to withdraw following a leg injury sustained during Argentina’s Copa America win over Colombia.

This year’s so-far unexplained withdrawal will mean the man from Rosario will be suspended for Inter Miami’s next matchup with FC Cincinnati. Javier Mascherano’s team lost 3-0 when they played against their Ohio counterparts last Thursday at the TQL Stadium, cutting the scoring run of Messi, who scored two or more goals in five consecutive games — a new MLS record. 

During the downtime of his imminent suspension, Messi may turn to friend and fellow 2022 World Cup winner Rodrigo de Paul, who is expected to swap Inter’s shortly with an upcoming transfer from Milan to Miami. 

Despite the absence of some high-profile superstars, tomorrow’s All-Star match will still showcase a number of Argentine players on both sides of the mini-rivalry. Representing the MLS, San Jose Earthquakes winger Cristian Espinoza is among those selected. The 29-year-old previously featured for Argentine clubs Huracán and Boca Juniors before making his move to the United States.

On the Liga MX side, Cruz Azul’s Carlos Rotondi, who began his professional career with Newell’s Old Boys and also had a stint at Defensa y Justicia, is expected to play a key role. He will be joined by Agustín Palavecino, the former River Plate midfielder who currently plies his trade at Necaxa.

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