Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, was one of 29 players selected to play Major League Soccer (MLS) on Wednesday against the LIGA MX All-Stars on July 29 during the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Messi has provided 12 goals and eight assists in 14 appearances for Inter Miami CF this season.
Messi is one of thirteen World Cup players selected for the MLS All-Star squad.
The others include Cape Verdean defender Steven Moreira of the Columbus Crew and four players from the US team, including NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, Charlotte FC centre-back Tim Ream, Columbus Crew defender Max Arfsten and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.
It is unclear whether Messi plans to play in the All-Star game after sitting out last year’s friendly, which led to a one-match suspension that Inter Miami FC owner Jorge Mas called «draconian.»
Messi, the top scorer at this year’s World Cup, helped defending champion Argentina recover from a two-goal deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday.
Argentina will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The World Cup final is on July 19.
Here is the full MLS roster for the All-Star game:
— Maxime Crepeau, Orlando City
– Matt Freese, New York City FC
– Brian Schwake, Nashville SC
– Max Arfsten, Columbus crew
– Lucas Herrington, Colorado Rapids
— Richie Laryea, Toronto FC
– Anthony Markanich, Minnesota United FC
—Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Chicago Fire FC
— Steven Moreira, Columbus crew
-Daniel Munie, San Jose Earthquakes
–Andy Najar, Nashville SC
—Jackson Ragen, Seattle Sounders FC
— Tim Ream, Charlotte FC
— Sebastian Berhalter, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
– Pep Biel, Charlotte FC
— Rodrigo De Paul, Inter Miami CF
— Evander, FC Cincinnati
– Carles Gil, New England Revolution
— Zavier Gozo, Real Salt Lake
– Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC
— Thomas Müller, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
–Ashley Westwood, Charlotte FC
— Hugo Cuypers, Chicago Fire FC
—Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC
– Julian Hall, New York Red Bulls
— Son Heung-Min, LAFC
—Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
— Petar Musa, FC Dallas
—Sam Surridge, Nashville SC
Published on July 8, 2026
