Lionel Messi Exempted from MLS All-Star Game

Lionel Messi and his teammate Rodrigo de Paul will not play in the MLS All-Star game against the Liga MX All-Stars on 29 July 2026.

This is because they recently played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

The league has made an exception this year to allow players who reached the later stages of the World Cup to rest and recover.

Messi scored 8 goals in the World Cup and will return to his team, Inter Miami, in late July or early August.

Other stars like Son Heung-Min, Thomas Muller, and Tim Ream will play in the All-Star game instead.