Messi and Alba skip MLS All-Star Game, could face suspensions

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba won't participate in Wednesday night's MLS All-Star Game despite being voted into the roster.

The Inter Miami pair wasn't included when MLS confirmed the final All-Star squad to face the best of Liga MX.

League rules state that opting out of the All-Star Game without an approved medical reason can result in a one-game suspension, according to ESPN's Lizzy Becherano. MLS will reportedly talk to Inter Miami before deciding on Messi's and Alba's availability for Saturday's league visit from FC Cincinnati.

Messi, who didn't feature in the 2024 MLS All-Star Game due to an ankle injury, is in exceptional form. The 38-year-old attacker scored eight goals and assisted twice across his past five MLS matches, helping Miami win four of its five outings since its last-16 elimination by Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup.

The Herons are fifth in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano admitted last week that he would prefer Messi and Alba rested rather than played in the showpiece match amid a demanding regular season, but he said the decision was out of his hands. "I know how important the All-Star (Game) is, and as far as I know, there is no decision from the club, everything is as normal," Mascherano said.

Austin FC boss Nico Estevez, who will oversee the MLS All-Star team, said Tuesday that he didn't yet know whether Messi would feature in the game, but the coach would welcome having "the best player in history" at his disposal.

"I'm always very optimistic with everything. And why not? I hope that he can be here," Estevez said, as quoted by Reuters.

Messi and Nashville SC's Sam Surridge are the joint top scorers in the 2025 MLS campaign with 18 goals.