The MLS All-Star team will face the Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday, July 29, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, marking the eighth edition of this North American showcase. Ahead of kickoff, the absence of Inter Miami superstars Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul stands out as the most glaring omission from tonight’s rosters.
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo DePaul will not feature in the 2026 All-Star Game after receiving official load-management clearance from Major League Soccer. The decision follows their demanding summer campaign at the 2026 World Cup, in which they played the final on July 19, leaving little time for offseason recovery.
Having reached the final against Spain, Inter Miami coordinated with league officials to arrange an approved rest period for the duo. Thanks to this special exemption, neither Messi nor De Paul will face disciplinary action or league-mandated suspensions, avoiding the situation Messi encountered last season after an unsanctioned absence.
Having been excused from the midsummer exhibition, both Argentine internationals were granted additional recovery time after their international duties. Messi officially returned to Inter Miami’s training facility on Wednesday to begin his ramp‑up period, while De Paul has yet to rejoin the squad under head coach Guillermo Hoyos.
With the superstars absent, rookie midfielder Yannick Bright will be Inter Miami’s lone representative on the MLS All-Star squad. Even without Messi, the roster still offers considerable talent, headlined by LAFC’s Son Heung-min and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Thomas Muller, who are making their All-Star debuts, along with forwards Sam Surridge (Nashville SC) and Petar Musa (FC Dallas).
Noteworthy absences for the MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game
Messi and De Paul headline a prominent group of absent stars for tonight’s exhibition, especially noteworthy considering Messi has yet to participate in an All-Star Game since arriving in MLS in 2023. Nonetheless, several other notable players from both leagues will also miss the match.
On the MLS roster, Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi was ruled out after his World Cup appearance with South Africa. Liga MX also suffered notable absences: Pumas UNAM goalkeeper Keylor Navas is sidelined by a knee injury, while 17-year-old Tijuana prodigy Gilberto Mora was omitted from the squad without any official clarification from his club or the league.