Messi to miss MLS All-Star Game after World Cup run

Lionel Messi will not play in the MLS AllStar Game on Wednesday in Charlotte after recently finishing his run at the 2026 World Cup with Argentina. Messi played every match for Argentina before the team lost 10 to Spain in the final on July 19. He had been selected as an MLS AllStar before the tournament began, but MLS said he and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul would be excused from the event under a restandreturn agreement tied to World Cup participation. Messi has posted strong numbers in MLS this season, with 12 goals and eight assists in 14 games. The match begins at 8 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium and will stream on Apple TV.