UPDATE: Lionel Messi is ABSENT from the updated MLS All-Star roster and WON'T play in Wednesday's game.
Lionel Messi’s absence for the MLS All-Star training day has many fans worried that the Inter Miami star could miss Wednesday’s clash with the Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Will Messi miss the All-Star Game for a second-straight year? The answer is still unclear just one day before the big game which isn’t a great sign.
What we know
- 2025 MLS All-Star Game is on Wednesday
- Messi and Jordi Alba were both absent for the MLS All-Star’s training day on Monday
MLS All-Star 2025 pic.twitter.com/Ox0DLZRcU5
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 21, 2025
- Messi didn’t take part in the Media Day for the All-Star game
- Messi won’t be involved in the “Skills Challenge” event set for Tuesday night
- MLS All-Stars head coach Nicolás Estevez said he wasn’t sure if Messi will be there or not
- Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano doesn’t want Messi or Alba to play in All-Star Game
- MLS is still advertising that Messi will be present on the official website
With all the information laid out it’s understandable why some fans are doubtful about Messi making an appearance for Wednesday’s showcase.
Messi has yet to appear in an MLS All-Star game after missing out last year due to an ankle injury he suffered during the 2024 Copa América final.
When Estevez was asked if Messi will make his All-Star debut the head coach said that Inter Miami will make that decision.
“That’s a question for his club. I just coach and use the players I’m given. I hope so - I’m very optimistic and I hope he can be there,” Estevez said.
Miami head coach Mascherano has been vocal that he doesn’t want to see either Messi or Alba play in the All-Star Game.
"The players are called up (for the All-Star Game), I would like them to be able to rest but that is not my decision," Mascherano said.
Messi and Alba started in Miami’s 5-1 victory against New York Red Bulls on Saturday with both players getting on the scoresheet. The Herons play again this upcoming Saturday, hosting the best team in MLS, FC Cincinnati, on Saturday.
The two sides met as recently as July 16 where Miami suffered a 3-0 defeat.
