Messi to skip MLS all-star game in Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Fans in Austin hoping to see Major League Soccer’s highest-paid and most popular player for the league’s all-star game Wednesday will be disappointed.
Lionel Messi, along with his Inter Miami CF teammate Jordi Alba, will not play for the MLS all-stars when they meet the Liga MX squad at 8 p.m. CDT in Q2 Stadium. Representatives from Miami informed the league about the decision Wednesday. Neither player is listed as injured, and unless they receive a special exemption from the league to miss the all-star game, they’ll be suspended for one regular season game, making them unavailable for an Eastern Conference showdown with league-leading FC Cincinnati on Saturday. It’s unclear whether or not the league will grant a special exemption.
Messi has been voted into the league’s all-star game every season since he joined Miami in 2023, but he’s never played in the game. He didn’t play in last season’s game due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for Argentina in the Copa America tournament.
Miami’s schedule has been congested lately, following its appearance in the knockout stage of the FIFA Club World Cup in June, which may be a contributing factor to Messi and Alba’s decision to rest rather than participate in the league’s midseason showcase. In his last five MLS matches, Messi has scored eight goals with three assists.
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Miami is also scheduled to compete in Leagues Cup with its first match against Liga MX side Atlas on July 30.
FC Cincinnati forward Evander will serve as captain for the MLS all-stars. Austin FC defender Guilherme Biro was a late addition to the MLS squad, joining goalkeeper Brad Stuver and head coach Nico Estevez as host team representatives.
Final MLS all-star roster vs. Liga MX all-stars
GOALKEEPERS (3)
- Dayne St. Clair – Minnesota United FC
- Brad Stuver – Austin FC
- Yohei Takaoka – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
DEFENDERS (9)
- Max Arfsten – Columbus Crew
- Guilherme Biro – Austin FC
- Tristan Blackmon – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Michael Boxall – Minnesota United FC
- Alex Freeman – Orlando City SC
- Jakob Glesnes – Philadelphia Union
- Andy Najar – Nashville SC
- Miles Robinson – FC Cincinnati
- Kai Wagner – Philadelphia Union
MIDFIELDERS (9)
- Sebastian Berhalter – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Cristian Espinoza – San Jose Earthquakes
- Evander – FC Cincinnati (Captain)
- Carles Gil – New England Revolution
- Diego Luna – Real Salt Lake
- Hany Mukhtar – Nashville SC
- Jeppe Tverskov – San Diego FC
- Obed Vargas – Seattle Sounders FC
- Philip Zinckernagel – Chicago Fire FC
FORWARDS (8)
- Tai Baribo – Philadelphia Union
- Denis Bouanga – LAFC
- Anders Dreyer – San Diego FC
- Chucky Lozano – San Diego FC
- Marco Pašalić – Orlando City SC
- Diego Rossi – Columbus Crew
- Sam Surridge – Nashville SC
- Brian White – Vancouver Whitecaps FC
