Lionel Messi has been the most visible superstar in Major League Soccer since joining American club Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and as such his surprise absence from the 2025 MLS All-Star game came as a shock.

Lionel Messi will miss the Major League Soccer All-Star Game against Liga MX on Wednesday night. Messi's teammate at Inter Miami, Jordi Alba, will also miss the game. An MLS spokesperson said Inter Miami informed league officials that the two players will not appear in the match at Q2 Stadium.

KUT’s Vamos Verde host Jimmy Maas breaks down what to expect from the matchup between US and Mexican league stars.

Messi and Alba were Inter Miami’s All-Star selections, but skipped the game and could face disciplinary action.

It’s a rare all-star game that reflects a league’s evolution, but that’s what this year’s MLS showcase offers. On July 23 at 9 p.m. ET, two dozen MLS players will step onto the field at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, and offer a snapshot of the league’s progress.

Charlotte’s successful bid for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game included a new ingredient: state funding to help offset organizing costs.

NEW YORK (July 17, 2025) — As communities across Texas begin to recover from the devastating floods that have displaced families and disrupted lives, Major League Soccer (MLS) is standing in solidarity with those impacted — using the platform of All-Star Week to honor, uplift and mobilize support.