Lionel Messi will once again miss the MLS All-Star Game, marking the second consecutive year he won’t participate. This time, however, he will not face a suspension, as announced by the league on Saturday.
This follows last year’s incident where the Argentine superstar received a one-game ban from Major League Soccer for skipping the event. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas criticized this decision, calling it “draconian” and noted that it greatly upset Messi.
Given that both Messi and teammate Rodrigo De Paul played in the World Cup final on July 19, the league has decided to ease its policies this time around.
In a statement, MLS clarified, “Before the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that clubs would have discussions with players following their exit from the World Cup to establish suitable rest and training return timelines.” The statement continued, “In line with this agreement, both Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.”
Neither Messi nor De Paul has participated in Inter Miami’s league matches against the Chicago Fire or CF Montreal since the World Cup.
FIFPRO, the international organization for professional footballers, secured an agreement with FIFA last year for mandatory 21-day rest periods after each season.
– This World Cup confirmed that Messi is the greatest male athlete in history
– Reports indicate Messi and De Paul will take a break for the next two Miami games
– Lionel Messi returns to Rosario to recuperate after World Cup defeat
In addition to Messi and De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and golden boot leader Hugo Cuypers are also excused, with the latter’s absence attributed to his transfer to Monterrey.
They will be substituted by Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Andrés Cubas, Houston Dynamo’s Guilherme, and the Chicago Fire’s Philip Zinckernagel.
Players like Son Heung-Min, Thomas Müller, and Tim Ream are scheduled to compete in the match against Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday night in Charlotte, North Carolina.