Lionel Messi Leads 29 MLS Players in All‑Star Match Against Liga MX

Lionel Messi, the all‑time leading scorer at the World Cup, was named to Major League Soccer’s 29‑player roster for the July 29 MLS maneira.

In the first half of the season, Messi has tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami CF. He is one of only 13 World‑Cup stars to earn a spot on the MLS All‑Star line‑up. Other notable selections include Cape Verde defender Steven Moreira from the Columbus Crew and four U.S. players: NY City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese, Charlotte FC centre‑back Tim Ream, Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten, and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.

It remains uncertain whether Messi will take the field for the All‑Star game. He sat out the previous year’s exhibition match, a decision that triggered a one‑game suspension from Inter Miami CF’s owner, Jorge Mas, who called the penalty “draconian.” Messi closed the recent World Cup campaign as Argentina’s leading scorer, helping the defending champions rally from a two‑goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3‑2 on Tuesday. Argentina now faces Switzerland in the quarter‑finals, with the tournament’s final scheduled for July 19.

Below is the complete MLS roster for the All‑Star match:

GOALKEEPERS (3)

• Maxime Crepeau, Orlando City
• Matt Freese, New York City FC
• Brian Schwake, Nashville SC

DEFENDERS (10)

• Max Arfsten, Columbus Crew
• Lucas Herrington, Colorado Rapids – Richie Laryea
• Anthony Markanich, Toronto FC – Mbekezeli Mbokazi
• Steven Moreira, Columbus Crew – Daniel Munie
• Andy Najar, San Jose Earthquakes – Jackson Ragen
• Tim Ream, Seattle Sounders FC

MIDFIELDERS (9)

• Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Pep Biel
• Rodrigo De Paul, Charlotte FC – Evander
• Carles Gil, FC Cincinnati – Zavier Gozo
• Hany Mukhtar, Real Salt Lake – Thomas Müller
• Ashley Westwood, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

FORWARDS (7)

• Hugo Cuypers, Chicago Fire FC – AndersAttached
• Julian Hall, San Diego FC – Son Heung‑min
• Lionel Messi, LAFC – Petar Musa
• Sam S Pfizer? – Nashvilleavoq

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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