Lionel Messi has been ruled out of tonight’s MLS All-Star Game against a LIGA MX select XI in Austin, but is set to escape a suspension.
Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba were voted on to the roster and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was due to make his debut in the fixture.
But he will now not play with pull-outs usually slapped with a one-game ban by Major League Soccer.
Numerous reports suggest neither Messi, nor Alba, will be sanctioned, though, having had to deal with a hectic schedule in recent weeks due to Miami’s participation in the Club World Cup.
The Argentina superstar has played every minute in 22 of the Florida side’s last 23 games in all competitions, despite being 38 years of age.
Despite that workload, he has maintained his usual lofty standards, scoring at least two goals in six of Miami’s last seven MLS games, including a run of five straight.
It is the second successive year in which he has had to pull out. In 2024 he sustained an ankle injury in the Copa America final which kept him sidelined for several weeks.
Alba did take part last year but will sit out this game after starting six of Miami’s last seven matches.
Both Messi and Alba are likely to play when Miami host FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
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2025-07-23 20:51:37
