'Eggs of MLS are all in the Messi basket' - Herculez Gomez criticizes league for prioritizing Inter Miami star over interests of hardcore fans, despite ASG suspension

In the wake of the recent Lionel Messi MLS All-Star Game controversy, former USMNT star Herculez Gomez questioned tension between Major League Soccer's treatment of the Inter Miami star and the league's longtime supporters.

Gomez said the league is accommodating the Argentine superstar above other considerations, even after MLS suspended Messi and teammate Jordi Alba after the pair skipped last week's ASG in Austin, Texas.

“Nobody should be above the law, but when MLS puts all their eggs in one basket, they've made it very clear who is above the law," Gomez said on his podcast. "I'm here to talk about the pushback. It seems like the hardcore MLS fans, they've taken this stance of 'F-Messi, He's been bad for the league. It's not Messi league soccer, this is Major League Soccer.'

"It’s Messi this, Messi that….and they’re fed up with it and I sympathize and almost relate to it. But don't for a second, think Major League Soccer has your best interest at heart. They don't. They’ve got your money, they want the casual fans and the casual fan wants Messi... This is a the way they've operated and you should not be surprised."

Gomez also addressed the MLS roster construction rules that have allowed Inter Miami to assemble an unusually star-studded squad around Messi - including the recent addition of Rodrigo De Paul.

"It's pretty much a super team to do whatever the hell they wanted to do," he said. "And there's been this push back from the general fan. Well, Zlatan, David Beckham, Chicharito they did a late-night circuit. They did the rounds. Why doesn’t Messi? And you may be right? You may have a point... Major League Soccer doesn't care.

"And you should not be upset when that happens because we've allowed it to happen. So Messi - the eggs of MLS are all in the Messi basket. And I feel they positioned themselves in a situation where they almost have to see it through. If Leo Messi were to not re-sign through the 2026 World Cup... I don't know where you move forward. It could be a blow, not a death blow, but it's a major blow that sets you back. So, this is the Messi basket that you're in. I think you have to ride it out.”

Lionel Messi’s current contract with Inter Miami expires at the end of the 2025 MLS season and he is reportedly in negotiations with the club over a new deal.

Inter Miami will face Atlas, Necaxa and Pumas in Leagues Cup, with De Paul cleared to make his debut with the team on Wednesday night.