Messi and Alba were Inter Miami’s All-Star selections, but per MLS, they will not take part in the game set to be played on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.

Lionel Messi will miss the Major League Soccer All-Star Game against Liga MX on Wednesday night. Messi’s teammate at Inter Miami, Jordi Alba, will also miss the game.

Lionel Messi has been the most visible superstar in Major League Soccer since joining American club Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and as such his surprise absence from the 2025 MLS All-Star game came as a shock.