MLS to punish Messi for missing All-Star Game

July 26, 2026 / 12:44 PM

Sharjah 24: Major League Soccer (MLS) has confirmed that Lionel Messi will not be obligated to participate in next week's All-Star Game after representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Missing the annual exhibition

Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced that Lionel Messi will not be obligated to participate in next week's All-Star Game after representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Inter Miami star was penalised last year for missing the annual exhibition match between the MLS All-Stars and the Mexican Liga MX All-Stars.

Participation in the game is usually mandatory, except in cases of injury.

World Cup rule

However, this year's World Cup took place in the middle of the MLS season, which was on a seven-week break, and the league confirmed that exceptions had already been made for players who reached the final stages of the global tournament.

"Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the players' association agreed that, following a player's exit from the World Cup, clubs will hold individual talks with each player to determine an appropriate rest period and return-to-training and competition schedule," the league said in a statement.

Official excuse

"In accordance with this agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game," the statement added.

De Paul also played in last Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey, which Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain in extra time.

Who is playing

Messi was among the first 11 players selected for this year's MLS All-Star Game, scheduled for Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In his absence, the game will feature stars such as South Korea's Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC, Germany's Thomas Müller of Vancouver Whitecaps, and U.S. national team captain Tim Ream of Charlotte.

Last year, Messi and his then-Inter Miami teammate, Jordi Alba, were suspended for one match each for withdrawing from the All-Star Game at the last minute.

At the time, MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed his understanding of Messi's busy schedule, calling the decision "very difficult" and indicating that the league's long-standing policy regarding the exhibition game would be reviewed.