Lionel Messi Blocked From Suspension Due to ‘Little-Known’ MLS Rule

Lionel Messi is eligible to play in Inter Miami's clash against the New England Revolution due to an MLS "good conduct" rule. Although Messi received his fifth yellow card of the season during a 2-2 draw with Cincinnati, he will avoid a one-match suspension. Under MLS regulations, a player has one yellow card removed from their suspension threshold if they complete five consecutive league matches without being cautioned.

Because of the intervals between his bookings across the season, two yellow cards were removed from Messi's effective disciplinary total, reducing his active count to three. The availability of the Argentine forward comes as third-place Inter Miami pursue New England and league leaders Nashville ahead of the MLS Cup playoffs.