'Messi, you need to grow up' - Ex-USA defender calls out 8-time Ballon d'Or winner

Former U.S. men’s national team defender Alexi Lalas has publicly criticised Lionel Messi for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.

Messi was handed a one-match suspension after failing to appear in the high-profile clash between Major League Soccer’s All-Stars and Liga MX All-Stars.

Speaking on his State of the Union podcast, Lalas expressed frustration over the reaction to Messi’s absence and dismissed the notion that the 8-time Ballon d'Or winner is a victim of the league's expectations.

Lalas, who is now a prominent football pundit, accused some fans and media of over-romanticising Messi’s stance, suggesting it’s unfair to portray him as a rebel against the system.

He said, “Fascinating in the way that it has been handled and the reaction to it.

“We all have either been involved or grown up watching All-Star games and the phenomenon of All-Star games when it comes to multiple sports here. It’s very normal for us…”

He added, “The framing that is happening right now of Messi as some saint, waging some righteous fight against the perceived evils and ills of MLS and its structure or even the very concept of an All-Star Game that’s a little rich, and that’s a little ridiculous.”

The former LA Galaxy defender went further, calling on Messi to accept responsibility for his contractual obligations.

“He signed his contract. He knew that playing in the All-Star game was part of his contract. So he knew the rules. So Messi, you need to grow up. You need to participate. And if you didn’t want to play in the All-Star game, you had the leverage at the moment you were signing your contract, and you should have negotiated for that.”

Messi has scored 18 goals and seven assists in 18 MLS games this season.