Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi will not take part in Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte after being ruled out of the annual exhibition.
The Argentine star recently helped his country reach the FIFA World Cup final, where Argentina suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain, ending their hopes of retaining the title.
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Although Messi has been selected for the MLS All-Star squad in each of the last three seasons, he has yet to make an appearance in the fixture.
He is among four players unavailable for this year’s game. Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and former Chicago striker Hugo Cuypers will also miss the match.
De Paul, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup campaign alongside Messi, is being rested following the tournament.
Cuypers, meanwhile, is no longer eligible after completing a transfer from Chicago Fire to Mexican club CF Monterrey on Thursday.
Mbokazi has been sidelined with a lower-body injury. The South African defender also featured for his national team during the recent World Cup.
To fill the vacant spots, MLS has called up Inter Miami’s Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andres Cubas, Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme, and Chicago Fire winger Philip Zinckernagel.
Guilherme has enjoyed an impressive debut season with Houston, contributing eight goals and five assists, while Zinckernagel has recorded five goals and seven assists during the 2026 campaign.
The MLS All-Stars are scheduled to face the Liga MX All-Stars in Charlotte on Wednesday.
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