Messi can skip All-Star Game after grueling World Cup, says MLS
Major League Soccer has confirmed that Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will be excused from the upcoming All-Star Game following their participation in the 2026 World Cup final. The league had pre-arranged rest periods for players involved in the tournament's final stages.
Why it matters
Highlights the logistical challenges of scheduling professional sports leagues around major international tournaments like the World Cup.
Layer 1 Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi cries during the trophy ceremony at the end of the 2026 World Cup football tournament final match between Spain and Argentina at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Lionel Messi will not be required to play in next week’s Major League Soccer All-Star Game after representing Argentina in the recent World Cup final, the US domestic league said Saturday.
Inter Miami superstar Messi had been sanctioned last year for skipping the annual showcase, which pits top players from across MLS against rivals from the Mexican Liga-MX.
Participation is usually mandatory, with exceptions for injury.
But this year, the World Cup took place in the middle of the MLS season, which paused for a seven-week break, and the league confirmed exceptions had been pre-arranged for players reaching the international tournament’s final stages.
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