Inter Miami star Lionel Messi will be an excused absence from this year’s MLS All-Star Game, the league confirmed on Saturday, July 25.
Messi played every game of Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Sunday, July 19.
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The 39-year-old, along with his Inter Miami and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul, were both excused from Wednesday’s All-Star Game, which will see the MLS All-Stars take on a team of Liga MX All-Stars in Charlotte.
“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that upon a player’s exit from the World Cup competition, clubs would have individual conversations with each player to determine the appropriate rest and return to training and competition timeline,” MLS said in a statement.
“Consistent with that agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.”
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Lionel Messi in MLS: Photos from soccer star’s tenure with Inter Miami
Mar. 18, 2026: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF celebrates with teammate Sergio Reguilon #3 of Inter Miami CF after scoring his team’s first goal during the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 Second Leg match between Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, scored his 900th goal for club and country in Inter MiamiÕs match against Nashville SC.
(Carmen Mandato, Getty Images)
Messi and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba skipped the All-Star Game last season as well, but both players were suspended one MLS match because they were not injured.
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Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas blasted the suspension as “draconian” at the time.
Messi and De Paul were excused absences this time around, with the league announcing on Saturday that Hugo Cuypers, who recently transferred from the Chicago Fire to Monterrey, and injured Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi would also miss the game.
Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas, Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme and Chicago Fire forward Philip Zinckernagel were confirmed as their replacements.
2026 MLS All-Star Game roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
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Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)
Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire)
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Must-see World Cup final photos show Messi, Yamal pursue championship
The World Cup final brings together two of soccer’s biggest stars as Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal chase the sport’s biggest prize.
See the must‑see photos from the championship match as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
Above, Argentina’s Lionel Messi during the warm up before the match.
(Hannah McKay, REUTERS)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Lionel Messi play MLS All-Star Game after starring for Argentina at World Cup?
