Will Lionel Messi Play For the MLS All-Stars? Coach Estevez Breaks Silence

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Jul 24, 2025 - 19:30
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Will Lionel Messi Play For the MLS All-Stars? Coach Estevez Breaks Silence originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The MLS All-Star Game is a day away, and Lionel Messi has yet to train with the team ahead of the match. He previously played this past weekend in Harrison, New Jersey, for Inter Miami as they defeated the NY Red Bulls 5-1.

Messi was named to participate in the MLS All-Star Game, as he and 25 other players will form this year's MLS All-Star team roster. They will take on the Liga MX All-Stars, but as the match gets closer, many wonder if the Inter Miami star will be there.

Messi's participation in the friendly match will bring more eyes to the event, which is something the MLS wants. If the star does not participate in the game, Messi could face a one-game suspension in the MLS.

The MLS All-Star team coach, Nico Estévez, was asked about Messi's absence in the team's first training session and was asked if he would play. His answer concerns MLS fans who want to see the star play and concerns Inter Miami fans, who may lose Messi this weekend due to suspension.

Nico Estévez on Lionel Messi

In a press conference heading towards the MLS All-Star Game, Estévez talked about training some of the top stars in the MLS. With Messi's absence, Estévez faced questions regarding the Argentine's participation on Wednesday.

Nico Estévez: "I don’t know. That question should be asked to the MLS officials. I just coach the players they give me. Of course, I’d love for him to play. It would be a pleasure to work, even if just for a short time, with the greatest of all time."

The MLS insists that Messi will participate in the All-Star Game this Wednesday on their official website. On Monday, the MLS published a statement discussing previous star players involved in the All-Star game.

They mention Messi as the next global soccer star to play in the MLS All-Star Game, which would be his first since his arrival in the summer of 2023.

Messi not participating in Skills Challenge

With the MLS All-Star Game comes the MLS Skills Challenge, where players take on multiple soccer challenges that involve accuracy, passing, scoring, and more.

On Tuesday, July 22, the MLS All-Star Challenge will take place at the Q2 Stadium. Messi will not be present for the event, but other big MLS names will take part. He will also not be involved in the MLS All-Star Media Day.

Some names involved in the Skills Challenge are Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna, LAFC's DenisBouanga, and Inter Miami's Jordi Alba.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.

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