- Lionel Messi recorded eight goals and four assists in eight matches as Argentina finished as runner-up in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain.
- Inter Miami's Messi was among the 11 players voted for the MLS All-Star match but will not participate.
- Messi will not be required to play in the exhibition game after representing Argentina in the recent FIFA World Cup 2026 final, the league announced last week.
Lionel Messi has resumed training with Inter Miami after his remarkable run with the Argentina national team in the FIFA World Cup 2026, where he scored eight goals and provided four assists in eight matches, leading the team to the final.13
Despite being voted as one of the 11 players for the MLS All-Star game, Messi will not participate. The league confirmed that he is exempt from playing due to his recent international commitments, specifically after reaching the final stages of the tournament.
The league typically mandates participation in the All-Star game, but exceptions are made for players who have recently competed in significant international matches. This pre-arranged exception allows Messi to focus on his recovery and training with Inter Miami, as they prepare for the upcoming MLS season.
Messi's absence from the All-Star game highlights the balance between league commitments and international duties, especially for high-profile players like him. His performance in the World Cup has solidified his status as one of the sport's greatest, and fans eagerly await his return to competitive play in the MLS.
“Messi recorded eight goals and four assists in the World Cup 2026, where Argentina finished as runner-up to Spain. The league confirmed that exceptions for players reaching the tournament's final stages had been pre-arranged, allowing Messi to skip the exhibition game.”
