News Summary
Lionel Messi’s suspension has caused controversy as Inter Miami prepares for the Leagues Cup, welcoming new signing Rodrigo De Paul. With Messi sidelined due to injury, the MLS reintroduces ‘Player Spotlight: Messi’ for fans. Despite the buzz, questions arise regarding De Paul’s roster inclusion. Coach Javier Mascherano criticizes the suspension policy while focusing on team unity during challenging times. Anticipation builds for Messi’s return and the potential impact on Inter Miami’s performance.
Miami – Lionel Messi’s recent suspension has sparked controversy ahead of Inter Miami’s participation in the upcoming Leagues Cup, while the club also welcomes newly signed player Rodrigo De Paul. Messi, who has significantly boosted interest in Major League Soccer (MLS) since joining the league, missed the entire 2024 Leagues Cup due to an injury sustained during the Copa America final.
In light of Messi’s limited playing time, MLS has decided to bring back the popular broadcast feature “Player Spotlight: Messi” for the upcoming tournament. This exclusive viewing experience, available on TikTok LIVE, allows fans to watch matches focusing solely on Messi. The feature previously set records with over six million live viewers during its initial launch, underscoring Messi’s star power and the growing popularity of soccer in North America.
The Leagues Cup will commence on July 30, with Inter Miami facing Atlas. The Messi-centric stream will be available starting August 2 during a match against Necaxa, covering a total of at least four additional matches throughout the season. Fans can access this feature through the MLS TikTok account, while live coverage will also be provided by Inter Miami’s channels and Apple TV.
Rodrigo De Paul, a World Cup-winning midfielder, has recently joined Inter Miami. However, questions arise as De Paul has not been included in the team’s Leagues Cup roster, leaving fans eager to see when he will make his debut. Meanwhile, Messi’s longstanding rivalry with former Barcelona teammate Sergio Ramos could soon be reignited, as both players now compete in the MLS.
Messi’s suspension stems from his absence from the MLS All-Star Game alongside teammate Jordi Alba, a decision that has caused frustration among the players and management of Inter Miami. The league’s commissioner characterized the suspension as a complicated yet necessary enforcement of league policy. Messi’s statistics, featuring 18 goals and nine assists, have made his absence particularly noticeable. Following the suspension, Inter Miami faced FC Cincinnati without both players, leading to a disappointing 0-0 draw.
During this period, Messi and De Paul took part in fan engagement activities and enjoyed the match from a suite, demonstrating the team’s camaraderie despite the challenging circumstances. The decision for Messi and Alba to skip the All-Star Game was made by the club, citing the need to manage a demanding schedule of nine games within just 36 days.
Inter Miami’s coach, Javier Mascherano, has expressed criticism toward the MLS suspension policy, questioning how it is enforced and its timing. Messi’s contract with Inter Miami is approaching its expiration at the end of the season, adding another layer of uncertainty to the situation. Following the backlash from Inter Miami’s staff regarding the suspensions, the MLS has announced that it will be reviewing its policies related to this issue.
As the upcoming matches draw near, the anticipation grows around Messi’s return to the field, the integration of De Paul into the squad, and how these challenges will affect Inter Miami’s performance in the Leagues Cup. The league’s response to the suspension, along with management’s concerns, could potentially influence its governance moving forward, as stakeholders seek to ensure a favorable environment for both players and fans alike.
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HERE Resources
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati End in Scoreless Draw
Additional Resources
- Palm Beach Post
- Wikipedia: Lionel Messi
- New York Post
- Google Search: Lionel Messi suspension
- ESPN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lionel Messi
- New York Times
- Google News: Inter Miami
