Will Lionel Messi play? MLS All-Stars brace for clash against Liga MX elite
The absence of the two former Barcelona stars did not go unnoticed - even among their fellow All-Stars."I know they're on the roster, and I don't know if they're coming in today or tomorrow," said New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil. "Hopefully they can join like everyone else. With just two training days, it's difficult to build chemistry."Real Salt Lake and United States international Diego Luna shared similar thoughts."Am I surprised? Maybe a little, because they were named in the squad. But they've got their own individual situations," Luna said. "The only cool thing is, they could arrive tomorrow and we get to play together and have fun."As of Tuesday evening, there had been no official word from MLS or Inter Miami regarding a potential withdrawal. Despite having struggled with fitness at times since joining MLS in 2023, Messi has featured in every minute of Inter Miami's last 19 matches across all competitions - a sign that he is match-fit.However, league rules stipulate that any player who misses the All-Star Game without a credible injury reason could face a one-match suspension - a potential blow for Inter Miami ahead of their weekend fixture against FC Cincinnati."Leo is more a question for the league, for his club," said Austin FC manager and MLS All-Star coach Nico Estevez on Monday, speaking in Spanish. "I simply coach and direct the players they give me. But I hope so - because having the best player in history is important for everyone. I'm always optimistic. Why not? I hope he can be here."If Messi does take to the pitch, it would be a landmark moment for the MLS All-Star Game. The concept, a mid-season exhibition between hand-picked talents, is largely unfamiliar to football fans outside North America. This year, 14 of the 30 MLS All-Stars hail from outside the United States, Canada and Mexico - a reflection of the league's increasing international profile.advertisementAmong them is English striker Sam Surridge of Nashville SC, who enters the match level with Messi atop the MLS scoring charts, with 18 goals each."It is very unique," Surridge said of the experience. "You get to play with some really good players. Training on Monday was brilliant - getting to know some of the lads, a few familiar faces but also meeting people I didn't know. Everyone comes together for this week. Then it's back to business at the weekend."The 2025 match marks the 29th edition of the All-Star Game - the 2020 event was cancelled due to the pandemic - and the fourth time the MLS and Liga MX format has been used. MLS have won two of the previous three encounters, although Liga MX ran out 4-1 winners in last year's contest.Among those returning for the Liga MX All-Stars is Tigres UANL's Juan Brunetta, who scored and was named Most Valuable Player in 2024.- EndsTrending Reel
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