​Why Lionel Messi is skipping MLS All-Star game on heels of legendary 2026 World Cup performance originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Fresh off a glittering World Cup display that saw him reassert his status as the sport’s grandest talent, Lionel Messi is slated to return to Inter Miami.He’ll get a brief respite before he drapes himself in pink, however. Messi is poised to take a lengthy break before taking to the field once more, leaving MLS without its biggest headliner ahead of one of the biggest events on its annual calendar.With that, here’s what you need to know about Messi’s impending absence from the 2026 MLS All-Star Game.MORE: Messi, Mbappe, Haaland headline SN’s World Cup best 11Why Lionel Messi is skipping MLS All-Star gameMessi was named to his third consecutive MLS All-Star game partway through the World Cup, collecting the honor after tallying 12 goals and eight assists in 14 appearances.He’ll miss out on the spectacle, which falls within the 21-day rest period footballers receive at the end of each season.Messi and international teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who also stars for Inter Miami at club level, plan to work with the MLS side to determine when they will return to action.Regardless, the Argentina internationals will miss at least Inter Miami’s next two games, per Sports Business Journal.DeCOURCY: 26 thoughts on the ’26 World CupWhen will Lionel Messi return to Inter Miami?At present, it’s unclear when Messi will return to his club side. He is slated to miss at least two games along with the All-Star break, opting to travel to Miami before returning home to his hometown of Rosario for a brief hiatus.The 21-day rest window started Monday, July 20. He’s eligible to take time off until Aug. 10. If he were to take the maximum amount of time off before returning to action, he’d miss five Inter Miami games (in addition to the All-Star Game).BONN:Rodri’s brilliance stands in contrast to World Cup narrativeWhen was the last time Lionel Messi played for Inter Miami?Messi last suited up for Inter Miami on May 24. The 39-year-old recorded two assists and three shots in the Herons’ 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union before exiting in the 73rd minute after grabbing at the back of his leg.Lionel Messi took a free-kick and instantly grabbed the back of his leg, before leaving the match against the worst team in MLS in the 73rd minute.Worrying times for the legend ahead of the World Cup — which he has been doing extra training for.pic.twitter.com/Qo6R9lXIlI— Ben Steiner (@BenSteiner00) May 25, 2026The removal proved completely precautionary in the end; Messi was fit and firing during the World Cup, recording eight goals and four assists to lead Argentina to the World Cup final.When is the MLS All-Star game?The MLS All-Star Game will take place Wednesday, July 29. The match will pit the best MLS has to offer against Liga MX’s finest talents.Among the players sele