Lionel Messi (rest) officially ruled out of MLS All-Star Game

Field Level Media|published: Sat 25th July, 15:07 2026

May 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts against the Portland Timbers during the second half at Nu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi was one of four players officially ruled out of Wednesday's MLS All-Star Game at Charlotte, N.C., as the Argentina star continues to recover from a run to the World Cup Final.

Also on Saturday, Hugo Cuypers, Rodrigo De Paul, Mbekezeli Mbokazi were ruled out of the All-Star Game, which will match the best of MLS against the top players from Mexico's LIGA MX.

Cuypers earned his All-Star spot with his play for the Chicago Fire, but he was transferred to Mexico's CF Monterrey on Thursday. De Paul, an Inter Miami midfielder, will follow Messi's lead and bow out of Wednesday's festivities after playing for Argentina in the World Cup.

Mbokazi, a defender from the Chicago Fire, was ruled out with a lower body injury. The South Africa native also appeared in this summer's World Cup.

To replace the foursome, Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andres Cubas, Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme and Fire forward Philip Zinckernagel all were named All-Stars on Saturday.

Bright has guided Inter Miami to a 9-2-1 record in his 12 starts this season, while Cubas has three assists in 12 matches for the Whitecaps. Guilherme has eight goals and five assists in his first season with the Dynamo, while Zinckernagel has five goals and seven assists for the Fire.

--Field Level Media

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