Why Won't Lionel Messi Play in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game?
Lionel Messi will once again miss the MLS All-Star Game. Major League Soccer confirmed on Tuesday the final roster for its annual showcase, and the Inter Miami captain will not take part in the event for the third consecutive time.
The Argentine superstar earned another All-Star selection thanks to his enormous impact on the league, but he will ultimately sit out after the heavy physical demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he led the Argentina National Team to the final.
His teammate Rodrigo De Paul will also miss the event.
Why Messi Will Miss the All-Star Game
After completing a physically demanding World Cup campaign that ended with Argentina's defeat to Spain in the final, Messi has yet to officially return to action with Inter Miami.
For that reason, MLS has accepted his absence and confirmed that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner will not face any disciplinary action.
The situation is very different from last year, when Messi and Jordi Alba chose not to participate because of accumulated fatigue during the season. At that time, the league ruled that there was no sufficient justification and suspended both players for one match, a decision that drew strong criticism from Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas, who described the punishment as "draconian."
Messi's Curious History with the MLS All-Star Game
Despite becoming one of the biggest stars in MLS since arriving in the United States, Lionel Messi has yet to play a single minute in an MLS All-Star Game.
In 2023, he did not participate because he had only recently joined Inter Miami and was not selected for the event.
In 2024, he missed the game after suffering an ankle injury during the Copa América final against Colombia, forcing him to withdraw.
In 2025, he was selected once again but chose to prioritize his physical recovery following a demanding stretch of matches, a decision that resulted in a one-game suspension imposed by the league.
Now, in 2026, history repeats itself, although with a different outcome. The physical toll of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was enough for MLS to approve his absence without issuing any punishment.
As a result, Messi continues one of the most unusual streaks of his career: he has been selected to the MLS All-Star Game three consecutive times but has yet to make his debut in the league's annual showcase featuring North America's biggest stars.
