MLS All-Stars beating the Liga MX All-Stars was one of the biggest highlights for Major League Soccer fans this season. Without having their captain and league’s face, Leo Messi, the MLS All-Stars managed to hand a 3-1 defeat to the Mexican league. Well, Messi’s absence did raise some eyebrows, but it’s the consequences that are leading to a major problem for the league in the long run.

Despite fans voting for the Argentine, along with his Miami teammate, Jordi Alba, did not turn up for the All-Star game. And the league, without making any exception for the 8x Ballon d’Or winner, suspended Messi and Alba for one game. “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,” the league announced in an official statement. Messi’s absence becomes more concerning because Miami’s next game is against the league leaders, Cincinnati, the same team that stopped the Argentine’s multi-goal scoring spree this season.

Needless to say, the Inter Miami star is not pleased with the league’s decision. After all, the 37-year-old hadn’t imagined that he would be suspended for not playing an exhibition match. Now, Miami owner Jorge Mas’s statement has raised concerns about the Argentinian icon’s contract negotiations.

“What can we do in terms of that renegotiation process? Well, listen, I alluded to earlier, he’s very upset, extremely upset today, as expected,” Mas said on Friday via Franco Panizo of Miami Total Futbol. “I’m hopeful it doesn’t have an impact long term.” Messi’s original 2023 contract was for one season, but the Ballon d’Or winner has continued to play with the team.

While the details about his contract are scarce, The Athletic reported in April that the soccer legend was in talks to extend his contract. The publication reported that Lionel Messi was on track to extend his stay in MLS at least until the end of the 2026 season. However, Mas’s statement made it clear that he’s yet to sign and is hoping this suspension won’t sour things further.

In fact, the league didn’t take the decision to suspend the attacking midfielder lightly. “Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision,” MLS commissioner Don Garber expressed in a written statement on Friday while praising Messi’s commitment to Inter Miami. If the World Cup winner departs, it won’t just be Inter Miami’s loss.

The massive implications of Lionel Messi leaving MLS

While some fans also didn’t like the fact that Messi skipped the All-Star game, the Inter Miami owner had a different opinion. “The rule is what it is, but they don’t understand it. … I think that the punishment for the rule is frankly draconian,” Mas said, as per ESPN. Team coach and former Barcelona legend’s former teammate, Javier Mascherano, shed more light on it.

“Well, Messi showed normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing,” Miami’s coach said about the league’s goals leader. Then again, it’s not surprising that Lionel Messi’s club would come to his defense. After all, it’s undeniable that the 37-year-old has transformed the MLS and set it on a trajectory of success, and Inter Miami doesn’t want to lose him.

Messi’s arrival on American shores didn’t just change Inter Miami’s fortunes but that of the whole sport in North America. A World Soccer Talk report from February revealed that the Argentinian has brought unprecedented growth to the league. His arrival has coincided with an 18% revenue growth, making MLS the fastest-growing major league in the US. Apple TV+ saw a surge of 300,000 new subscribers just months after Lionel Messi joined the league. Live attendance figures soared too.

In April 2024, 72,610 fans gathered at Arrowhead Stadium to watch the Argentine and Inter Miami CF play Sporting Kansas City. The average for the match, which was 23,234, set a new league record. So it’s safe to say that losing Messi is something no soccer fan would like to see. In fact, even the league knows it, and that’s why Commissioner Garber released his own written statement.

“I know Lionel Messi loves this league. I don’t think there’s a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi,” he added to Friday’s written statement. While Messi will miss Inter’s next game, he’ll be back in action after that, and Mas hopes everyone can put this suspension drama behind them.