Five yellow cards, no suspension! Little-known MLS rule saves Messi ahead of crucial clash
Lionel Messi has escaped a one-match suspension thanks to an unusual MLS disciplinary rule.
Details: According to The Athletic, the Argentine superstar will be eligible for Inter Miami's clash against New England Revolution on Sunday, November 1, despite collecting his fifth yellow card of the 2026 MLS season. Messi received his latest booking during Wednesday's 2-2 draw against FC Cincinnati, raising concerns that he would be forced to miss the crucial encounter.
Under normal circumstances, accumulating five yellow cards in MLS results in an automatic one-match suspension. However, the league has a special provision known as the Good Behavior Incentive. If a player appears in five consecutive matches without receiving a yellow card, red card or additional disciplinary sanction, one booking is deducted from his accumulated total.
Messi has already benefited from this rule twice during the current campaign. As a result, although he has received five yellow cards, only three count toward the suspension threshold. The regulation can be applied a maximum of three times per player during the regular season.
The Argentine will therefore be available for Inter Miami's important meeting with New England Revolution. The opponents currently have 58 points, while Messi's team have collected 56, making the upcoming encounter particularly significant in the Eastern Conference standings.
It's worth noting that Messi has scored 25 goals in the 2026 MLS regular season, while Inter Miami have already secured their place in the playoffs.
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Steven Perez
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