Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano has strongly criticized Major League Soccer (MLS) over the suspension of star player Lionel Messi, which kept the Argentine out of Saturday’s 0-0 draw against FC Cincinnati at Chase Stadium.

Speaking to reporters after the match, the former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder expressed frustration with the league’s decision, calling it “strange and inconsistent.”

“I don’t like to speak about other people’s decisions, but it’s strange when something is said one day and the opposite happens the next,” Mascherano said.
“Messi has played an enormous number of matches. When it’s about selling tickets or filling stadiums, no one complains. But now that we had a home game, he’s suspended? Would they have done the same if we were playing away? It’s frustrating.”

Messi, 38, and his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for one game after skipping the MLS All-Star match last week, despite being named in the squad. The MLS Commissioner announced the suspension just 24 hours before the Cincinnati clash, leaving Mascherano questioning the timing and fairness of the decision.

The draw leaves Inter Miami without a win in two consecutive games, as the absence of their star man continues to make headlines.