Latest update on if Lionel Messi will feature in MLS All-Stars match tonight

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :July 23, 2025 at 7:56 PM

Modified at :July 23, 2025 at 7:56 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The Argentine could face consequences if he fails to play in the All-Star game.

If Lionel Messi declines to participate in the MLS All-Star Game, he may face an expensive ban. The Major League Soccer All-Stars will play the Liga MX All-Stars at Austin, Texas’s Q2 Stadium tonight.

30 MLS players, featuring Lionel Messi, Hirving Lozano, Jordi Alba, and Diego Rossi, are included in the squad for the friendly encounter.

Because it increases awareness of the event, the Argentine icon’s participation in the game is crucial to the organisers.

Lionel Messi could face a big problem if he doesn’t take part in the MLS All-Star game

However, Messi’s absence from a training session has raised questions about whether he will play in the match tonight.

Messi’s selection in the MLS All-Star roster was not surprising. The 38-year-old Inter Miami veteran is dominating the MLS Golden Boot race with 18 goals in 18 league games this season. In addition, Messi has seven assists.

Luis Suarez Lionel Messi Inter Miami — Inter Miami will want Messi to be available for the Cincinnati game (Photo via Getty Images)

MLS has the option to suspend Messi and Alba for one game if they are unable to play without a known ailment. Then, on Saturday, July 28, the former Barcelona players would have to miss Inter Miami’s crucial game against FC Cincinnati.

Javier Mascherano, the manager of Inter Miami, has previously expressed concern about forcing Messi and Alba to play an extra game in the Herons’ already jam-packed schedule.

“The players are called up, I would like them to be able to rest but that is not my decision,” Mascherano said. “I know how important the All Star [Game] is, and as far as I know there is no decision from the club, everything is as normal.”

Messi and Alba will be the centre of attention tonight. We will have to wait and see if Inter Miami’s stars will play in the MLS All-Star Game or face suspension for one of the team’s most difficult league games of the season.

When is the MLS All-Star game?

The MLS All-Star is tonight.

Is Messi playing in the All-Star game?

As of now, it’s not confirmed if he is playing.

Did Messi play in last year’s All-Star game?

He missed last year’s All-Star event, as he suffered an injury in the Copa América.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.