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.

Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a bounce-back 5-1 victory over the host New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.

Messi and Inter Miami (12-4-5, 41 points) erased a 1-0 first-half deficit with a flurry of goals late in the first half — two of them coming off the foot of Telasco Segovia — that staked the Herons to a 3-1 halftime lead.

Lionel Messi delivered yet another masterclass on Saturday night, scoring both goals in Inter Miami’s 2-1 home win against Nashville SC at Chase Stadium.

Messi gets another brace and Miami snap Nashville’s unbeaten streak. pic.twitter.com/u3SPN35CF5

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 13, 2025

Los Angeles FC striker Olivier Giroud agreed to terminate his MLS contract and will return home to France to join Lille this summer, ESPN reported Friday.

The 38-year-old former FIFA World Cup champion with France in 2018 is in his second season with LAFC and has six months remaining on his contract.

Giroud leaving LAFC

Merci, Olivier.

LAFC and Olivier Giroud have reached a mutual decision to part ways.

Inter Miami lost a 2-0 lead in the closing minutes of their final Club World Cup group stage match against Palmeiras, throwing away a golden opportunity to top Group A and secure a more favorable Round of 16 draw.

Despite leading for most of the match at a packed Hard Rock Stadium, the MLS side collapsed under late Brazilian pressure, dropping to second place in dramatic fashion.

FULL TIME!

IT ALL ENDS 2-2!!

What a late comeback from Palmeiras

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States, is embracing a bold and entertainment-driven approach with unique elements inspired by the NBA. 

Players and managers will be interviewed live during halftime of matches, a first for a FIFA-sanctioned tournament. 

Embed from Getty Images

U.S. men’s national team legend Landon Donovan didn’t hold back, sharply criticizing high-profile American players who opted to sit out this summer’s 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, citing fatigue from their European club seasons.

During FOX Sports’ broadcast of the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain, Donovan expressed frustration with the likes of Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, and other USMNT regulars left out of head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.