Lionel Messi is furious at MLS, and believes that what happened to him in the past few days has been unfair in every way.
The story began when the league included Messi in the list of MLS stars who would face the Mexican league in Texas last Wednesday in a match that is entertaining but hugely popular in North America.
The Inter Miami star, along with teammate Jordi Alba, refused to participate in the match due to fatigue and the pressure of matches. They did not travel to Texas, and the league immediately punished them.
Messi and Alba were suspended for one match for Inter Miami, meaning they will miss the highly anticipated clash against Cincinnati in the Eastern Conference.
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas confirmed that Messi is extremely angry about the suspension and that it could affect his future plans for remaining in MLS.
Mas added in his widely circulated statements, “Leo is very upset, and I hope it won’t affect him in the long term (his contract renewal). His view of the league and its rules has changed. He’s a different player from everyone else and wants to play competitive matches.”
He continued, “We’ve played 33 matches so far this year, and I understand Messi and Jordi Alba’s decision after participating in the All-Star Game, and I fully support them. It was also a decision made by the club.”
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of this year, amid widespread optimism that he will continue for two more years, especially after the American club recently signed one of Messi’s closest friends, Rodrigo De Paul, from Atletico Madrid.
