Messi named to third straight MLS All-Star roster

7/9/2026

Lionel Messi headlines the MLS All-Star Game roster after a dominant 2026 season Will he play in Charlotte? Get the latest on his status, stats, and suspension risk

Lionel Messi has been selected for the MLS AllStar Game for a third consecutive year. The Inter Miami forward is among 29 players chosen for the 2026 roster after a season in which he leads the league with 20 goal contributions and has scored 12 goals in 14 matches. Messi is currently with Argentina as the team prepares for a World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland. His availability for the AllStar match remains uncertain because Argentina could still advance deeper into the tournament, which would overlap with the MLS event. Messi has not played in an MLS AllStar Game since joining the league. He missed the event in 2024 after an ankle injury and sat out again in 2025, which led to a onegame suspension under league rules. The 2026 MLS AllStar Game is scheduled for July 29 in Charlotte, where the MLS squad will face a Liga MX best XI.