Messi excused from MLS All-Star Game after World Cup final

Lionel Messi will not be required to play in Major League Soccer's upcoming All-Star Game, the league announced Saturday. This decision comes after the Inter Miami superstar represented Argentina in the World Cup final. The league confirmed that exceptions to the mandatory participation rule have been pre-arranged for players who reach the final stages of the international tournament.

This year's World Cup took place mid-season for MLS, prompting a seven-week pause. According to the league's statement, MLS and the MLS Players Association agreed prior to the season that clubs would hold individual conversations with players exiting the World Cup to determine appropriate rest and return-to-play timelines. Consistent with this agreement, both Messi and his Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul will be excused from the All-Star Game.

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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.

De Paul also featured in the World Cup final, which Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time. Messi had been named to the MLS squad for the game, scheduled for Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Last year, Messi and former Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba faced a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star Game. At the time, MLS Commissioner Don Garber expressed understanding due to Messi's demanding schedule, noting the league's policy would be reviewed.

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