Who replaced Lionel Messi in the 2026 MLS All-Star Game?

Lionel Messi was officially left out of the MLS All-Star Game 2026 and his absence became the story that overshadowed the buildup to the matchup between the stars of the Major League Soccer and Liga MX.

The Argentine will not travel to Charlotte due to the rest plan agreed between MLS and Inter Miami after the demanding activity of the 2026 World Cup. Alongside Messi, his teammate Rodrigo De Paul will also be absent, having received the same permission.

Four players out, four replacements in

MLS moved quickly to announce the players who will take the vacant roster spots for the All-Star Game.The changes were as follows:

1. Lionel Messi → Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire).
2. Rodrigo De Paul → Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps).
3. Hugo Cuypers → Yannick Bright (Inter Miami).
4. Mbekezeli Mbokazi → Guilherme (Houston Dynamo).

Cuypers withdrew after completing his transfer to Monterrey, while Mbokazi is unavailable because of an injury sustained during the 2026 World Cup.

When will Messi return?

Messi’s absence from the MLS All-Star Game has also raised questions about when he will return for Inter Miami.

So far, the club has not set a timetable for his comeback, with all indications suggesting the Argentine will only return once he is fully fit.

Head coach Guillermo Hoyos said there is no target date for Messi’s return, stressing that the priority is allowing him to recover from the demanding schedule he faced during the 2026 World Cup. Messi’s Argentina were beaten in the final by Spain.

All set for MLS vs. Liga MX

The 2026 MLS All-Star Game will be played on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the league’s top players will once again take on the best of Liga MX in what has become an annual rivalry between the two competitions.

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