Fabrizio Romano has expressed his astonishment at MLS’ stance over Lionel Messi’s absence from the All-Star game, admitting that he finds the reaction of the US league baffling.
Messi did not play for the MLS All-Stars against a select team from Liga MX earlier this week, and on Friday it was confirmed that he will be banned for Inter Miami’s next fixture.
The decision has provoked an outcry given the volume of matches the 38-year-old attacker has played in recent weeks, not to mention the overall impact that he has had in terms of interest in the US top-flight.
With a suggestion made that MLS’ decision could prompt Messi to depart Inter Miami at the end of his contract in December, Romano admitted that he is as puzzled by the decision as everyone else.
“Messi has been suspended by MLS officially along with Jordi Alba. He’s very upset. Jorge Mas announced that Messi is really upset. There’s a strange feeling around that,” he told his YouTube channel.
“It feels incredible to see a player like Messi, more than a legend for MLS, not to be available, not to be available for an MLS game because he doesn’t take place in the All-Star Game. It makes no sense for that type of model. It feels strange and unexpected.”
Messi suffering from ‘normal fatigue’
Romano pointed to the strain that the Barcelona legend has been put under lately due to the volume of matches he has played.
“Messi’s decision is not made out of nowhere. He needed to rest after five successive games playing 90 minutes following the Club World Cup,” Romano said.
“We know how the attention around MLS is increasing because of Messi. Also, the next MLS game was an opportunity for Inter Miami and adidas to present their new third kit, and now Messi won’t be on the pitch. It’s something we can’t understand.”
This echoes the stance of Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano, who said that the Messi is showing “normal fatigue from the number of games and minutes he’s been playing”.
Football transfer news headlines today
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
