MLS requires all selected players to attend the All-Star Game, unless they are officially ruled out due to injury, in which case they must provide proof.

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate Jordi Alba have been given one-match bans for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game earlier this week.

Fans and analysts are polarized: some see rest as warranted because of Messi’s age and the load on his body; others see this as a slap in the face of the league and the fans.