Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing in MLS All-Star Game today?

The biggest star of them all won’t be present at the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 29.

Lionel Messi will miss out on the showdown between stars from MLS and Liga MX in Charlotte, having only recently concluded his participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Messi played every game of Argentina’s run to the final, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Sunday, July 19.

The Inter Miami attacker was named among the first 11 MLS All-Stars before the World Cup kicked off, having tallied 12 goals and eight assists in 14 MLS games this season.

But the 39-year-old will be an excused absence for Wednesday’s match along with Rodrigo De Paul, his teammate for club and country.

“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that upon a player’s exit from the World Cup competition, clubs would have individual conversations with each player to determine the appropriate rest and return to training and competition timeline,” MLS said in a statement last week.

“Consistent with that agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be excused from participating in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.”

Messi and Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba skipped the All-Star Game last season as well, but both players were suspended one MLS match because they were not injured.

More: Topps turning iconic photo of Messi and baby Yamal into a trading card

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MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

July 17: LAFC’s Denis Bouanga (99) scores on a penalty kick against the LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park. LAFC won the match, 3-0.

(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)

May 23: Nashville SC’s Jeisson Palacios (4) scores a goal on a header past New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville won the match, 2-1.

(Alan Poizner, Imagn Images)

May 23: Charlotte FC goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina (1) makes the save against the New England Revolution at Bank of America Stadium. Charlotte FC won the match, 1-0.

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

May 16: FC Dallas’ Samuel Sarver celebrates by drinking a beer that was thrown at him by fans after he scored a goal against the San Jose Earthquakesat PayPal Park. Sarver’s stoppage-time goal gave FC Dallas a 3-2 victory.

(John Hefti, Imagn Images)

May 16: New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) dives for the ball in front of Red Bull New York’s Julian Hall (16) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The matched ended in a 1-1 draw.

(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

May 13: The Seattle Sounders’ Nouhou Tolo celebrates after an assist for a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the second half at Lumen Field. The Seattle Sounders won the match, 3-2.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

May 13: Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady gets control of the ball after a corner kick against DC United at Audi Field. Chicago won the match, 3-1.

(Jamie Sabau, Imagn Images)

May 13: CF Montreal’s Wikelman Carmona (left) kicks away the ball from the Portland Timbers’ Finn Surman during the first half at Saputo Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(David Kirouac, Imagn Images)

May 9: The Seattle Sounders’ Daniel Musovski kicks the ball away from San Diego FC’s Luca Bombino (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

May 9: FC Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund heads the ball as Charlotte FC’s Morrison Agyemang pressures during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)

May 3: New York City FC’s Strahinja Tanasijević (19) jumps to head the ball during the first half against D.C. United at Citi Field. D.C. United won the match, 2-0.

(Mark Smith, Imagn Images)

May 2: Orlando City SC goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau makes a save as Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez (9) follows on the play during the first half at Miami Freedom Park. Orlando City rallied from a 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 comeback victory.

(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)

May 2: Red Bull New York’s Emil Forsberg (10) controls the ball against FC Dallas’ Ramiro Benetti (17) and Shaq Moore (18) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. FC Dallas won the match, 2-0.

(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)

April 26: The LA Galaxy’s Marco Reus (18) jumps over Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Reus scored two goals as the Galaxy won the match, 2-1.

(Kiyoshi Mio, Imagn Images)

April 25: The Chicago Fire’s Philip Zinckernagel (left) and Sporting Kansas City’s Kwaku Agyabeng battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 5-0.

(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)

April 22: Houston Dynamo FC forward Ondrej Lingr (9) attempts to control the ball as San Diego FC’s Osvald Soe (17) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium.

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)

April 18: St. Louis City’s Jeong Sang-bin slides for the ball possessed by the Seattle Sounders’ Paul Rothrock during the second half at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 4-1.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

April 18: Colorado Rapids fans cheer during the match against Inter Miami at Empower Field at Mile High. A total of 75,824 fans attended the game played at the home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, marking the second-highest single-game attendance in MLS history (82,110 for LA Galaxy-LAFC at the Rose Bowl on July 4, 2023 is the most).

(Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images)

April 18: CF Montreal’s Prince Owusu (9) plays the ball and as Red Bull New York’s Dylan Nealis defends during the first half at Saputo Stadium. Montreal won the match, 4-1.

(Eric Bolte, Imagn Images)

April 11: Sporting Kansas City’s Stephen Afrifa (17) tries to head a shot on goal as the San Jose Earthquakes’ Jack Jasinski (left) defends during the second half of the match at Children’s Mercy Park. San Jose won the match, 3-1.

(Denny Medley, Imagn Images)

April 11: D.C. United’s Silvan Hefti (left) defends against the New England Revolution’s Dor Turgeman during the second half at Gillette Stadium. New England won the match, 1-0.

(Paul Rutherford, Imagn Images)

April 11: FC Cincinnati’s Tom Barlow heads the ball against Toronto FC during the first half at BMO Field. The two teams played to a 1-1 draw.

(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)

April 4: Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon reacts after a play against Austin FC during the second half at Nu Stadium. Inter Miami drew 2-2 against Austin FC in the inaugural game at Nu Stadium in Miami.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

April 4: The Chicago Fire’s Maren Haile-Selassie (7) and Nashville SC’s Maxwell Woledzi battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 1-0.

(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)

March 22: San Diego FC’s Marcus Ingvartsen celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego FC and RSL played to a 2-2 draw.

(Chadd Cady, Imagn Images)

March 21: St. Louis City’s Simon Becher (11) tackles the ball away from the New England Revolutio’ns Matt Polster at Energizer Park. St. Louis City won the match, 3-1.

(Scott Rovak, Imagn Images)

March 21: Orlando City goalkeeper Maxime Crapeau (71) blocks the header by Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge during the first half at Geodis Park. Nashville SC won the match, 5-0.

(Steve Roberts, Imagn Images)

March 21: Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran makes a play on the ball in front of Columbus Crew forward Jamal Thiaré (during the second half at BMO Field. TFC won the match, 2-1.

(Kevin Sousa, Imagn Images)

March 15: The Vancouver Whitecaps’ Mathías Laborda (2) scores against the Minnesota United en route to a 6-0 rout of Minnesota at BC Place.

(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)

March 14: San Diego FC’s Jeppe Tverskov (6) heads the ball during the second half against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium. The game ended in a 3-3 tie.

(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)

March 7: A tifo is seen before the game between the Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)

March 1: Inter Miami’s German Berterame controls the ball against Orlando City during the second half at Inter&Co Stadium. Inter Miami won the game, 4-2.

(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)

Feb. 28: Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga and the Houston Dynamo’s Antonio Carlos (left) compete for possession during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. LAFC won the match, 2-0.

(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)

Feb. 28: The Chicago Fire’s Jonathan Dean (24) and CF Montrea’s Hennadii Synchuk battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Chicago won the match, 3-0.

(Talia Sprague, Imagn Images)

Feb. 22: The Seattle Sounders’ Paul Rothrock celebrates after scoring a goal against the Colorado Rapids at Lumen Field. Seattle won the match, 2-0.

(Steven Bisig, Imagn Images)

Feb. 21: FC Cincinnati’s Gerardo Valenzuela (center) has his shot blocked by Atlanta United’s Elias Baez(left) during the first half at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati won the match, 2-0.

(Kareem Elgazzar, Imagn Images)

Feb. 21: Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) reaches for the ball against Real Salt Lake during the second half at BC Place. Vancouver won the match, 1-0.

(Anne-Marie Sorvin, Imagn Images)

Feb. 21: Fans watch during the national anthem before the game between Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami CF at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. LAFC won the game, 3-0, knocking off the defending MLS champs.

(Kelvin Kuo, Imagn Images)

2026 MLS All-Star Game roster

Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau (Orlando City), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)

Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Anthony Markanich (Minnesota United), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Daniel Munie (San Jose Earthquakes), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jackson Ragen (Seattle Sounders), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)

Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pep Biel (Charlotte FC), Yannick Bright (Inter Miami), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Carles Gil (New England Revolution), Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ashley Westwood (Charlotte FC)

Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Guilherme (Houston Dynamo), Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Son Heung-Min (LAFC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas), Sam Surridge (Nashville SC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire)

What time does the MLS All-Star game start?

The MLS All-Star Game is on Wednesday, July 29 at 8 p.m. ET.

How can I watch the MLS All-Star game?

The MLS All-Star Game will stream for free on Apple TV.

Where is the 2026 MLS All-Star game?

The game will be held at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. The home of MLS‘s Charlotte FC and NFL‘s Carolina Panthers, the stadium opened in 1996 opened and has a capacity of 75,037.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing in MLS All-Star Game today?

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Why isn’t Lionel Messi playing in MLS All-Star Game today?

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

MLS action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

2026 MLS All-Star Game roster

What time does the MLS All-Star game start?

How can I watch the MLS All-Star game?

Where is the 2026 MLS All-Star game?

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