This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS Confirm Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba Ban Decision After All-Star Snub. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba have been handed one-match suspensions after their absence from Wednesday night's All-Star game.

While soccer fans around the world were hoping to see Lionel Messi in action for the MLS All-Stars, it seems like the Inter Miami skipper had different plans. According to MLS officials, Messi has confirmed his absence from the game,

The Lionel Messi chapter in the MLS seems to have a sub-plot twist that we never saw coming. What looked like a soccer fairytale being woven even just a week ago now seems to be a relationship that is cracking.