The MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game is just days away, set to feature the brightest talent from both leagues. However, the event has lost another star as Gilberto Mora and Keylor Navas join a growing list of high-profile absentees that already includes Lionel Messi and Rodrigo DePaul.
When Liga MX released its preliminary squad weeks earlier, both Navas and Mora were included. But an official update on Monday, July 27, confirmed the Costa Rican goalkeeper and the Mexican youngster were dropped from the final roster.
Navas, the Pumas UNAM goalkeeper, will miss the trip to Charlotte after picking up a minor knee injury at the start of the Apertura 2026 campaign. Though not serious, the Mexican club opted to protect their veteran amid a congested schedule of Liga MX and Leagues Cup matches. Carlos Moreno of Club Pachuca has been called up in his place.
As for Gilberto Mora, neither Liga MX nor his club, Club Tijuana, have disclosed an official reason for his omission. The 17-year-old prodigy is still building his fitness ahead of the new season after a demanding World Cup run with Mexico and a well-earned break.
Inter Miami Duo to Miss All-Star Clash
The annual summer showcase has grown in stature as both leagues lure elite, world-class players. Now, Liga MX will be without Mora, Navas, and Armando “The Ant” González, while MLS will miss its biggest draw, Lionel Messi, and his Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo DePaul.
The duo earned special medical clearance to rest after a demanding 2026 World Cup campaign that ended in the July 19 final. Neither Messi nor DePaul had yet returned to full training, so both will miss the midweek exhibition at Bank of America Stadium, home of Charlotte FC, at 8 p.m. ET.
Liga MX All-Star Roster
- Goalkeepers: Carlos Acevedo (Santos Laguna) and Carlos Moreno (Pachuca).
- Defenders: Bruno Méndez (Toluca), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Federico Pereira (Toluca), Israel Reyes (América), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Jesús Garza (Tigres UANL), Luis Rey (Guadalajara), Nathan Silva (Pumas UNAM), Omar Campos (Cruz Azul), and Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul).
- Midfielders: Alexei Domínguez (Pachuca), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Elías Montiel (Pachuca), Fernando Gorriarán (Tigres UANL), Franco Romero (Toluca), Iker Fimbres (Monterrey), José Paradela (Cruz Azul), Juan Brunetta (Tigres UANL), and Kevin Castañeda (Guadalajara).
- Forwards: Javier Ruíz (Necaxa), Robert Morales (Pumas UNAM), and Salomón Rondón (Pachuca).
- Head coach: Antonio Mohamed.
MLS All-Star Roster
- Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City), and Brian Schwake (Nashville SC).
- Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), and Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
- Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps), and Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)
- Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), and Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire)
- Head coach: Dean Smith (Charlotte FC)