Miami’s Messi and Suarez out for MLS All-Star Game due to injuries

Argentina star Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez will miss Wednesday’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game with injuries, the league and team announced on Monday.

An updated MLS roster for the match-up against Mexico’s Liga MX All-Stars at Columbus, Ohio, listed Messi and Uruguayan striker Suarez among those who would not play.

Inter Miami detailed the injuries, with Messi still sidelined after missing two MLS matches last week with a right ankle injury suffered in Argentina’s Copa America final triumph over Colombia.

“Messi will miss the All-Star Game due to an ankle injury while Luis Suarez, who recently returned from international duty after over 40 days away from the club, will miss the All-Star Game due to knee discomfort,” Inter Miami said.

It would have been the first MLS All-Star appearance for 37-year-old Messi, who joined Inter Miami last July.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who helped spark Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, led Miami to last year’s inaugural Leagues Cup crown in a tournament of MLS and Mexican league squads.

But Miami said Messi’s status and that of Suarez remain in doubt for Saturday’s home match against Mexico’s Puebla, Inter’s first step in defending the Leagues Cup title.

The availability of Messi and Suarez will be determined by their “daily recovery process” according to the team statement.

Earlier, Jordi Alba’s goal in the 75th minute gave Miami a 2-1 home victory over Chicago Fire to extend their lead at the top of the MLS standings, despite the injury-enforced absence of Messi.

Inter’s 16th win in 25 games took them to 53 points, five clear of second-placed FC Cincinnati who lost 3-1 at New York Red Bulls.

Paraguayan midfielder Matias Rojas gave Miami the lead in the sixth minute.

Saudi-born German defender Rafael Czichos equalized for the Fire in the 73rd minute before former Spain star Alba scored the winner two minutes later.

In New York, Cincinnati were stunned by two goals from Scottish midfielder Lewis Morgan either side of defender Kyle Duncan’s strike as the Red Bulls led 3-0 after 59 minutes.

Corey Baird got the Cincinnati consolation in the 67th minute.

Agence France-Presse