Major League Soccer announced on Saturday that Lionel Messi will not be compelled to compete in the upcoming All-Star Game following his deep run in the 2026 World Cup. The Inter Miami captain reached the tournament final with Argentina, facing Spain in a match that concluded just days ago in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
While MLS rules generally demand participation from selected players, the league established specific protocols for this year due to the tournament’s mid-season timing. An agreement between the league and the players’ union allows teams to manage rest and recovery schedules for those who played late into the World Cup. Consequently, both Messi and his teammate Rodrigo De Paul have been officially excused from the exhibition match scheduled for Wednesday in Charlotte.
This decision contrasts with last year’s event, where Messi and Jordi Alba received one-game suspensions for missing the showcase. While commissioner Don Garber previously enforced the mandatory participation policy, the league has adjusted its approach for the current season. With Messi sidelined, the All-Star roster will still feature prominent names like Son Heung-min, Thomas Muller, and Tim Ream.
