Last year, Inter Miami superstar Messi was sanctioned for missing the annual showcase, which pits top players from across MLS against opponents from Mexico’s Liga-MX.
Participation is usually mandatory unless there is an injury.
But this year’s World Cup took place in the middle of the MLS season, which was suspended for a seven-week break, and the league confirmed that exceptions had been made in advance for players who reached the final stages of the international tournament.
“Prior to the start of the 2026 season, Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Association agreed that following a player’s withdrawal from World Cup competition, clubs would conduct individual discussions with each player to determine an appropriate schedule for rest and return to training and competition,” the statement said.
“Under this agreement, Rodrigo De Paul and Lionel Messi will be exempt from participation in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.”
Argentine De Paul also played in last Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey, where Argentina lost 1-0 to Spain after extra time.
Messi was among the first 11 players named to the MLS squad for this year’s All-Star Game, which will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday.
In his absence, the stars will include Son Heung-min of Los Angeles, Thomas Muller of the Vancouver Whitecaps and US captain Tim Ream, who plays for Charlotte.
Last year, Messi and then-Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba were given one-game suspensions for missing the All-Star Game at the last minute.
MLS commissioner Don Garber expressed sympathy for Messi’s grueling schedule at the time, saying it was a “very difficult decision” and that the league’s long-standing All-Star Game policy would be reviewed.
However, Inter Miami’s billionaire co-owner Jorge Mas said Messi was “very upset” by the suspension.
© 2026 AFP