Inter Miami played FC Cincinnati to a 0-0 draw without the suspended Lionel Messi on Saturday night. Messi was not available after he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended one match by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game. Messi was still in attendance on Saturday, watching from a suite at Chase Stadium.

An Inter Miami team missing the suspended Lionel Messi missed the chance to gain ground on Eastern Conference leaders FC Cincinnati after being held to a 0-0 draw in Major League Soccer on Saturday.Messi and team-mate Jordi Alba were both barred from playing the home game against Cincinnati after controversially withdrawing from this week’s MLS All-Star Game in Texas.

Lionel Messi took no time welcoming new Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul to Chase Stadium and MLS on Saturday during the club’s match against FC Cincinnati.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba have been suspended after the duo skipped Major League Soccer’s (MLS) All-Star Game earlier this week, the league said Friday (Saturday in Manila). MLS said in a statement Messi and Alba would be unavailable for Saturday’s clash against FC Cincinnati “due to their absence” at this week’s All-Star showpiece.

Lionel Messi's second collaboration with Stanley has tumblers, mugs, and other bottles in the soccer player's original colorway.

“A Goal in Life: Messi x Refik Anadol,” the artwork created by world-renowned artist Refik Anadol using artificial intelligence and inspired by global soccer star Lionel Messi’s favorite goal, was auctioned at Christie’s for $1.87 million on Tuesday. The auction house has not disclosed the identity of the buyer.

Next week, Inter Miami will begin their run in the Leagues Cup, and a decision by Major League Soccer will put Lionel Messi at the center of attention. Inter Miami have been focused in recent weeks on collecting as many points as possible in Major League Soccer to close the gap at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.