Lionel Messi might sit out the upcoming Major League Soccer All-Star Game, and that’s stirred up more than a little concern. Since joining Inter Miami, the Argentine star has been the league’s top attraction. But he didn’t train with the MLS team or show up to any of the official events this week in Austin, Texas.
That’s already raised red flags. If he doesn’t play in the match between the top players from the U.S. and Mexican leagues, Messi will automatically be suspended for one MLS game.
A celebration built around one name
The All-Star Game was supposed to be a celebration. It’s a break in the season, a showcase, a way to bring in fans and spotlight the league’s growth. Messi was at the center of all of it. More than just one of the greatest players ever, he’s the name that helped push MLS into a global conversation. Putting him front and center felt like the obvious move. But now, with a real chance he won’t play, what started as a party is turning into a headache.
His absence from training and from every promotional event hasn’t gone unnoticed. Other players joined fan-facing competitions, media events, and public appearances. Messi skipped them all. Jordi Alba, his Inter Miami teammate, and James Rodríguez from León were also no-shows. Still, neither carries the weight of Messi, who’s the face of the league.
Rules, precedent, and the ghost of Ibrahimovic
The rule is straightforward. If a selected player doesn’t show up for the All-Star Game, he gets suspended for the next official match unless there’s a valid medical reason. That rule was enforced in 2018 when Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then at LA Galaxy, chose not to participate. He was suspended.
If Messi is treated differently, MLS risks its own credibility. If the rule is enforced, it sets up a clear tension, not only with Messi, but also with Inter Miami.
The league is at a turning point. It wants to be seen as professional and consistent, with the same standards for every player. At the same time, everyone knows Messi isn’t just any player. So the question becomes: how far can the league bend before it breaks? Where’s the line between honoring a legend and protecting the league’s image?
A coach’s hope and an unsettling silence
Nico Estévez, the coach for the MLS All-Star team, played it safe when asked about Messi. He said he hopes Messi will be available, that it would be important to have him, but that the decision is up to the club and the league. “When it comes to Leo, that’s really something for the league and his club to sort out,” he said. “I coach whoever they give me. Of course, I hope he’s here. Having the best player ever here means a lot for everyone. I’m always optimistic. Why not? I hope he makes it.”
The bigger issue isn’t just whether Messi plays. It’s the complete lack of information. Inter Miami hasn’t released a statement explaining why he didn’t train or attend any of the league’s events. No one knows if it’s a physical issue, a personal decision, or something happening behind closed doors. And when no one says anything, speculation takes over.