Lionel Messi Named to MLS All-Star Roster-Will He Play?
Lionel Messi was officially added to the 2026 MLS All‑Star roster on July 24, 2026, marking his third consecutive selection, yet questions linger over whether the Inter Miami star will actually take the field in Charlotte on July 29.
Messi leads the league with 20 goal contributions-12 goals and eight assists-in just 14 matches, a tally that tops every MLS player this season. His performance has kept Inter Miami near the top of the Eastern Conference, and his presence on the All‑Star squad reflects both fan voting and coach Dean Smith’s selection. Fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul, also a coach’s pick, joins him, underscoring the impact of the national team duo in MLS.
Argentina is set to face Switzerland in a World Cup quarter‑final on Saturday, July 27, in Kansas City. If the Albiceleste advance, the semifinal would be on July 15 in Atlanta, and the final on July 19 in New Jersey. Messi’s schedule is tight; even a win would give him only a brief window before MLS resumes on July 16. Inter Miami’s next league match isn’t until July 22, leaving little recovery time. The league has yet to clarify whether the same participation rule that sidelined Messi after his 2024 Copa América ankle injury will apply again.
Last season, Messi and then‑teammate Jordi Alba sat out the All‑Star Game after opting to rest post‑injury, resulting in a one‑game suspension per MLS policy. Inter Miami co‑owner Jorge Más called the rule “a bad rule, but it’s a rule.” If Messi skips the July 29 showcase, the same sanction could bite, potentially affecting his availability for the early July fixtures. The league’s silence on the rule for World Cup participants like Son Heung‑Min and Matt Freese adds uncertainty.
The All‑Star lineup features 29 players, including goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City) and forward Son Heung‑Min (LAFC). Commissioner’s picks Richie Laryea (Toronto FC) and Julian Hall (Red Bull New York) round out the squad. The team will face a Liga MX Best XI for the third straight season, a matchup that has become a staple of the midsummer event. Fans will be watching closely to see if Messi’s star power makes an appearance or if the league enforces its disciplinary clause.
Should Messi play, he adds another high‑profile exhibition to his already packed calendar, boosting Inter Miami’s marketability and keeping his form sharp ahead of the league’s second half. If he sits out, the suspension could cost him a crucial league match, potentially influencing Inter Miami’s push for the playoffs. Either way, his selection reaffirms his dominance in MLS, even as he balances national team duties and league commitments.