"Messi Is Above MLS"– Former Galaxy Star Slams Garber For 'Crossing the Line'

"Messi Is Above MLS"– Former Galaxy Star Slams Garber For 'Crossing the Line' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

ESPN analyst and former LA Galaxy forward Alejandro « Ale » Moreno is warning Major League Soccer to be careful with Lionel Messi after the Inter Miami star was suspended for skipping the 2025 All-Star Game. 
Moreno says Major League Soccer is playing with fire with how they’re treating Lionel Messi.
On ESPN FC, the former LA Galaxy forward criticized the league’s decision to suspend Messi for missing the 2025 All-Star Game and says the fallout could be much bigger than MLS thinks.

Moreno wasn’t mincing words when he said: “Lionel Messi does what he wants. You may want to suspend him if you want, but be careful you’re poking the bear here.”

Also Read: Is Lionel Messi Injured? Mascherano Breaks Silence On Inter Miami Star’s Fitness Issues

"The House of Cards Falls Down"

He went further: “Be careful that you are indeed crossing Lionel Messi because he may choose to go play for another team to go elsewhere to prepare for the World Cup.”

For the Venezuelan, that’s when everything MLS has built around its biggest star comes crashing down. “And if he does that what happens with the MLS? The house of cards falls down.” “Because everything has been built around Lionel Messi.”

Since Messi arrived in 2023, the league has never seen more global attention, jersey sales and international broadcasts. He brought fans around the world and made Inter Miami a must-watch team.
That momentum, Moreno says, is all Messi. In his view, the league’s decision sends the wrong message. “Everybody knows Messi is above MLS.” And pushing him away, even unintentionally, could be the biggest risk the league has taken to date.

Also Read: MLS Chief Breaks Silence on Messi’s Suspension As All-Star Absence Sparks Drama

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.