The biggest star in MLS will not participate in the league's All-Star Game, with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi bowing out of Wednesday's contest at Columbus, Ohio, with an ankle injury.
Also ruled out of Wednesday's contest is Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez, who is dealing with knee discomfort.
Why is Messi not playing in All-Star Game?
Inter Miami have confirmed that Leo Messi and Luis Suárez will miss the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday.
Messi is still recovering from the ankle injury suffered in the Copa América final while Suárez has knee discomfort following the match vs. Chicago Fire. pic.twitter.com/iViPxVunKB— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 22, 2024
Messi and Suarez are tied for with 12 goals each for Inter Miami this season. Messi also has 13 assists, tied for second best in MLS.
Both players were injured in the just-completed Copa America tournament, with Messi leaving the final, won by his Argentina side. Suarez's injury was aggravated during Inter Miami's game vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday.
As of now, Inter Miami's Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are expected to play Wednesday.
The club said that the status of both Messi and Suarez remains up in the air for a Leagues Cup match Saturday against Mexico's Puebla. Messi led Inter Miami to the Leagues Cup title upon his arrival to MLS last season.
At the extended All-Star Game and Leagues Cup break, Inter Miami is atop the Supporters' Shield standings at 16-4-5 (52 points).
MLS All-Star roster 2024
Goalkeepers:
- Roman Bürki (St. Louis CITY SC)
- Hugo Lloris (LAFC)
- Maarten Paes (FC Dallas)
Defenders:
- Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF)
- Moïse Bombito (Colorado Rapids)
- Rudy Camacho (Columbus Crew)
- Justen Glad (Real Salt Lake)
- Aaron Herrera (D.C. United)
- Thiago Martins (New York City FC)
- Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew)
- Luca Orellano (FC Cincinnati)
- Keegan Rosenberry (Colorado Rapids)
Midfielders:
- Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
- Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami CF)
- Mathieu Choinière (CF Montréal)
- Evander (Portland Timbers)
- Héctor Herrera (Houston Dynamo FC)
- Robin Lod (Minnesota United FC)
- Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
- Darlington Nagbe (Columbus Crew)
- Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy)
Forwards:
- Christian Benteke (D.C. United)
- Federico Bernardeschi (Toronto FC)
- Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
- Juan "Cucho" Hernández (Columbus Crew)
- Petar Musa (FC Dallas)
- Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy)
- Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew)
--Field Level Media
