All Eyes on the Inter Miami Star Ahead of the Clash With Liga MX

With just hours remaining before the MLS All-Star Game against a selection of top players from Liga MX, all attention is on whether Lionel Messi will actually feature in the match. Though officially selected for the MLS All-Stars, the Inter Miami forward was notably absent from Monday’s training session led by head coach Nico Estévez.

The session was meant to finalize preparations for Wednesday’s high-profile showdown in Austin, but Messi was nowhere to be seen. His absence has sparked questions among fans and media alike. Estévez himself admitted he was unaware of the reason behind the no-show, adding that the league officials were in charge of addressing such matters.

Decision Day as Messi Faces Final Practice Deadline

Tuesday will be a pivotal day for both MLS and Messi, as the last training session is scheduled at the Austin FC facilities. All signs point to this being the final opportunity to confirm his availability for the match at Q2 Stadium.

"I'm here to coach the players that are given to me," said Estévez during a press conference. "That’s something the organizers must handle, but of course, I hope Messi shows up. Having the best player in history on our side would be huge."

The MLS All-Star Game is one of the league's most anticipated events each year. The potential participation—or absence—of Lionel Messi could heavily influence not just the on-field performance, but also the global spotlight on the league’s elite talent showcase.