AUSTIN, Texas — Lionel Messi will miss the Major League Soccer All-Star Game against Liga MX on Wednesday night. An MLS spokesperson said Inter Miami informed league officials that the two players will not appear in the match at Q2 Stadium.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba could face a suspension after withdrawing from Major League Soccer's All-Star game.Under MLS rules, both Messi and Alba could be given a one-game suspension unless they have a valid reason for the withdrawal,

Major League Soccer revealed its roster of the 29 players available for selection in the All-Star Game on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.

KUT’s Vamos Verde host Jimmy Maas breaks down what to expect from the matchup between US and Mexican league stars.

Lionel Messi has been the most visible superstar in Major League Soccer since joining American club Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and as such his surprise absence from the 2025 MLS All-Star game came as a shock.

Messi and Alba were Inter Miami’s All-Star selections, but per MLS, they will not take part in the game set to be played on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.

It’s a rare all-star game that reflects a league’s evolution, but that’s what this year’s MLS showcase offers. On July 23 at 9 p.m. ET, two dozen MLS players will step onto the field at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, and offer a snapshot of the league’s progress.

Charlotte’s successful bid for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game included a new ingredient: state funding to help offset organizing costs.