Lionel Messi will miss MLS All-Star Game with Copa America injury

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi will not participate in this week’s MLS All-Star Game, Major League Soccer announced on Monday. This decision comes eight days after the Argentine superstar left the Copa America final with an ankle injury.

Messi was listed among the unavailable players for Wednesday’s match in Columbus, Ohio, where the MLS All Stars from 18 league clubs will face top talent from Mexico’s LIGA MX. The game would have marked the 37-year-old’s debut in the MLS All-Star Game, following his move to Inter Miami in July 2023 after an illustrious career in Europe.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has made a significant impact in his first MLS season, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists in just 12 games, becoming the quickest player to reach 25 goal contributions in an MLS season.

Inter Miami have confirmed that Leo Messi and Luis Suárez will miss the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday.

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Messi is still recovering from the ankle injury suffered in the Copa América final while Suárez has knee discomfort following the match vs. Chicago Fire. pic.twitter.com/iViPxVunKB

— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 22, 2024

The MLS All-Star Game is scheduled to be played at 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT) on July 24.