The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer’s suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a “draconian” punishment. “They don’t understand the decision,” owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-game suspensions.

Despite the absences, Inter Miami held FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw at Chase Stadium on Saturday night. The team also presented new signing Rodrigo De Paul prior to kick off, introducing the World Cup winner and Messi's Argentina teammate to fans.

Lionel Messi will once again be the focus of MLS's innovative 'Messi Cam,' a dedicated livestream tracking his every move during Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match against Necaxa on August 2. Available on TikTok in a mobile-friendly format,

You wouldn’t need to think too hard to make a headline about Lionel Messi. After all, MLS commissioner Don Garber put it perfectly. “I mean, he is Michael Jackson meeting Taylor Swift—and he’s playing in our league.