Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba out of All-Star Game
Jul 19, 2025; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with defender Jordi Alba (18) after goal during the second half against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Major League Soccer revealed its roster of the 29 players available for selection in the All-Star Game on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.
Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi and teammate Jordi Alba are not on the list, however. Messi, the league's co-leading scorer and reigning MVP, and Alba initially were selected to represent the MLS in its match against a team of All-Stars from Mexico's Liga MX.
MLS rules dictate that players who are not injured and opt against participating in the All-Star Game will be suspended for one league match. Should that be the case, Messi would be in line to miss Inter Miami's home match on Saturday night against FC Cincinnati.
Speaking of FC Cincinnati, their midfielder Evander will serve as the captain of the MLS All-Stars for Wednesday's match after winning a fan vote. Evander has 15 goals and eight assists to pace FC Cincinnati.
Below is the MLS' roster of players available for Wednesday's match:
Goalkeepers: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC); Brad Stuver (Austin FC); Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew); Guilherme Biro (Austin FC); Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC); Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC); Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC); Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union); Andy Najar (Nashville SC); Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati); Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC); Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes); Evander (FC Cincinnati); Carles Gil (New England Revolution); Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake); Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC); Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC); Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC); Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC)
Forwards: Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union); Denis Bouanga (LAFC); Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC); Chucky Lozano (San Diego FC); Marco Pasalic (Orlando City SC); Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew); Sam Surridge (Nashville SC); Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
--Field Level Media
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