Lionel Messi A question mark like MLS All-Stars are on the face League MX

The All-Star game of 2025 ml in Austin, Texas, was supposed to be the first with Lionel Messi after injury loved him from the 2024 event.

That seemed less likely after the first training session on Monday, when Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were absent when the MLS team prepared for Wednesday evening’s game against a team of All-Stars from Liga MX from Mexico.

From Tuesday afternoon there had been no official communication that the duo would not participate. Although Messi has sometimes had to deal with health problems during his two-year MLS official period, he played every minute of the last 19 games of Miami in all matches.

If he or Alba missed the game without a credible injury, they would be subject to a suspension of one match for Miami’s weekend collision with FC Cincinnati.

«Leo is more a question for the competition, for his club,» said Austin FC and MLS All-Star Manager Nico Estevez in Spanish on Monday. «I just coach and direct the players they give me. And I think that’s a question for them. And I hope so. Because having the best player in history is something very important for everyone. But I hope so I am always very optimistic with everything. And why not? I hope he can be here.»

Also read: Palace appeals to Cas against the relegation of the Europa League

The All-Star concept is foreign for most of the football world outside of North America, and 14 members of the MLS team of 30 players are from outside the United States, Canada and Mexico.

But that did not prevent the majority of the team from enjoying the recognition, including Nashville SC -Spits and Engelsman Sam Surridge, who enters the exhibition, connected to Lionel Messi for the competition side of 18 goals.

«Yes, it’s very unique,» Surridge said. «You can play with a number of really good players. Training (Monday) was brilliant, getting to know a few of the boys, a few familiar faces, but also getting to know people I don’t know. And it’s good because everyone comes together this week. And then yes, it’s things again, I would say at the weekend.»

Wednesday marks the 29th All-Star game of the competition while MLS is celebrating its 30th season (there was no all-star event in 2020), and the fourth time it was played in this format.

The MLS has won two of the previous three meetings against the Border Rival League, although the Liga MX team won a 4-1 victory in last year’s edition.

Juan Brunetta from Tigres Uanl will return this year after scoring a goal and winning Game MVP subjessions for the Liga MX All-Stars in 2024.