Kristina Roberts
Lionel Messi, one of the world’s most famous footballers, will not be playing in the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star Game in the United States. Along with him, his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba will also be missing the match. The MLS All-Star Game is a special event where the best players from the MLS face off against top players from Mexico’s Liga MX. This year’s match is taking place in Austin, Texas. Fans were looking forward to seeing Messi play in the game, but on Wednesday, the league confirmed that both Messi and Alba would not be included in the final team list.
This is not the first time Messi has missed an MLS All-Star Game. In 2024, he was also absent due to an ankle injury he picked up while playing for Argentina in the Copa América. This time, however, Messi has not given any medical reason for not playing in the game. That has led to many questions about why he and Alba will not be part of this year’s event. Earlier this week, both players skipped Monday’s training session, which made fans wonder if they were planning to sit out the All-Star Game again.
Messi, who is now 38 years old, has been very active for Inter Miami this season. After dealing with a lot of injuries in 2024, he has played every minute of the club’s last 19 games. His efforts have helped Inter Miami reach fifth place in the Eastern Conference. The team’s record so far is 12 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws in 21 games. He continues to show his passion for the game even at this stage of his career. His teammate Jordi Alba has also played an important role for the team this season.
Last Saturday, Inter Miami played against the New York Red Bulls and won the match 5-1. Alba scored the first goal, while Messi added two more goals in the second half. Their performance showed that both players are still in great shape. Because of that, fans were expecting them to take part in the All-Star Game. So when the official MLS roster came out and did not include their names, many people were surprised and disappointed.
The head coach of Inter Miami, Javier Mascherano, had earlier talked about the All-Star Game and the pressure players feel to participate. “The players are called up, I would like them to be able to rest but that is not my decision,” he said. This shows that even though players are chosen for the game, sometimes they may want or need rest, especially after a busy season.
According to the rules of the MLS, if a player skips the All-Star Game without a medical reason that is approved by the league, that player could be punished. The rule says the player might have to sit out one game with their club as a penalty. This has happened before. For example, in 2018, Zlatan Ibrahimović, who was playing for LA Galaxy at the time, missed the All-Star Game against Juventus from Italy’s Serie A. Because he didn’t have a medical excuse, he was suspended for one game.
Now, fans and experts are asking whether Messi and Alba will face the same punishment. A report from ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano mentioned that league officials are planning to speak with Inter Miami staff to decide what happens next. There is no final answer yet on whether Messi and Alba will be allowed to play in Inter Miami’s next match, which is set for Saturday against FC Cincinnati.
A spokesperson from MLS told The Athletic, “The league office needs to speak with the club before we confirm player availability for Saturday.” This means that the final decision will be made only after a discussion between the league and the club.
It’s important to note that Messi and Alba were both chosen for the All-Star Game by fans and media members. Being selected in this way is a big honor and shows how much people appreciate their talent and performance. Their absence from the game may feel disappointing to fans who were hoping to see them play in this exciting match.
But at the same time, it is also true that professional players like Messi and Alba have very busy schedules and demanding seasons. After playing many matches and giving their best, they may sometimes need a break—even from big events like the All-Star Game. While rules are important to keep things fair, many fans also believe that players should be allowed to take rest when needed, especially when they are older and have given so much to the game.
As of now, all eyes are on the final decision from MLS and Inter Miami. Will Messi and Alba be allowed to play in Saturday’s match? Or will they have to sit out one game because they didn’t join the All-Star event? Fans are waiting for an official update.
Lionel Messi has always been someone people admire not just for his skills but also for his dedication. Whether he’s scoring goals for Inter Miami or helping Argentina win major tournaments, he continues to inspire fans around the world. While his absence from the All-Star Game is disappointing for many, most people still respect his decision and understand that rest is also a part of an athlete’s career.
The 2025 MLS All-Star Game will still go on in Austin, Texas, with top talent from both MLS and Liga MX competing. Even without Messi and Alba, the match promises to be exciting. But it’s clear that the spotlight will remain on what happens next with these two stars—and whether or not the league decides to suspend them.
