Major League Soccer is facing calls to "revise" its new player injury rule following criticism from star player Lionel Messi. The rule, implemented in 2024, requires players who receive medical attention on the field for more than 15 seconds to leave the game for two minutes.
The incident occurred during Inter Miami's match against Montreal on Sunday, when Messi suffered a knee injury and was forced to leave the field for two minutes under the new rule. During that time, he was caught on camera expressing his frustration with the regulation.
Messi's comments have sparked a debate about the rule's potential to affect the game negatively. Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino criticized the decision not to award a yellow card to Montreal's George Campbell, who fouled Messi. According to Martino, the absence of a card meant Messi had to leave the field despite Campbell's clear infraction.
Martino called for the rule to be "revised," stating that it can lead to unfair consequences. He argued that teams that suffer fouls can be penalized by losing players for two minutes, even when the fouled player is not seriously injured.
The MLS rulebook states that the two-minute absence is not required in cases where the injury is caused by a yellow or red card foul. However, Campbell was not booked for his foul on Messi.
Martino's criticism highlights the potential for the rule to be applied inconsistently and to create situations where teams are disadvantaged. He argued that the decision-making process regarding yellow cards should be more judicious, as not all fouls warrant a two-minute suspension.
The rule's implementation has sparked discussion about the balance between player safety and the flow of the game. While the rule is intended to protect players from serious injuries, some argue that it can lead to unnecessary interruptions and a disruption of the match's rhythm.
Critics argue that the two-minute absence can provide unfair advantages to teams who commit fouls, allowing them to regain possession and regroup while their opponents are short-handed. Additionally, the rule can disrupt the momentum and strategy of teams that are in possession or close to scoring.
Despite the controversy, the MLS has not yet announced any plans to revise the rule. The league is likely to monitor the situation closely and gather feedback from players, coaches, and fans before making any changes.
In the meantime, the rule remains a topic of debate within the MLS community. It remains to be seen whether the league will address the concerns raised by Messi and Martino or if the rule will continue to be implemented in its current form.
