Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba of Inter Miami could be suspended by the Major League Soccer for skipping the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, which is slated for July 23, 2025

This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Power Rankings: Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami Take Big Steps After Matchday 26 . If there’s anything true about MLS, it’s that El Tráfico never disappoints and you must expect the unexpected.

Lionel Messi is facing the prospect of a ban amid speculation that he will break a strict MLS rule which Zlatan Ibrahimovic also breached. The MLS All-Stars are set to face Liga MX All-Stars on 24 July at 02:00 GMT, but Messi is yet to train with the team ahead of the game

Inter Miami will have a week off until their next MLS game, which is on July 26 at Chase Stadium. They come off with another win in the league after defeating

Inter Miami, who are aiming to win their maiden MLS Cup title, are also prioritising bagging the Leagues Cup this year, a title the club won in 2023 soon after Lionel Messi signed for the Herons. The World Cup-winning Argentina captain starred with a brace on Saturday as the David Beckham-owned side beat New York Red Bulls 5-1 in a MLS clash away from home.