Controversy over Messi playing in 2025 MLS All-Star match: Fans want it, coach says no

Messi and Jordi Alba's presence in the 2025 MLS All-Stars match against Liga MX All-Stars (Mexico) at 8am on July 24 is still unclear. The Argentine star seems to be on vacation with his family.

Inter Miami explains Messi needs muscle injury treatment?

Messi and Jordi Alba were voted by American fans as the favorites to start the 2025 MLS All-Star team, which will play against the Liga MX All-Stars from Mexico at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. This is an annual exhibition match between the stars of the two leagues and the fans.

Although it was just an exhibition match, the tickets were sold out with about 20,500 people watching. Ticket prices for this match are still very high, from 190 USD (nearly 5 million VND)/ticket to 800 USD (nearly 21 million VND)/ticket.

Messi is in extremely good form, scoring doubles in 6/7 recent matches, but is at risk of being overloaded due to continuous playing.

Photo: Reuters

Last year, Messi was also included in the MLS All Star squad, but he and teammate Luis Suarez withdrew from the competition at the last minute due to injuries and physical effects after the 2024 Copa America.

This year, it is likely that Messi will once again not have the chance to participate in this all-star match. The reason is that he is overloaded because of playing continuously since the end of April until now. Coach Mascherano and Inter Miami club do not want Messi to participate in the match. The same goes for Jordi Alba.

Furthermore, they have also just gone through consecutive matches without rest, including 4 matches in the recent Club World Cup (reaching the round of 16), and a series of 5 matches at a frequency of 3 days/match in the recent MLS.

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The physical wear and tear is starting to affect the entire Inter Miami squad, as even goalkeeper Oscar Ustari picked up an injury in the last match against FC Cincinnati and was replaced by Rocco Rios Novo in the next match against the New York Red Bulls.

"It's clear the team has had a lot of muscle injuries this season. The intensity of the recent games has been very high. I want the players to rest.

In particular, after the win over New York Red Bulls (5-1, July 20), we had about a week off for the next match (against FC Cincinnati at 6am on July 27). So I wanted Messi and his teammates to have a few days off, before returning to prepare. However, they were called up (to the MLS All Star team), and this was not my decision," coach Mascherano shared, expressing concern about the cumulative impact on his all-star squad.

Messi at the age of 38 plays better and more energetically, surprising everyone.

Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, the MLS All Star team has been practicing for the past two days, but Messi and Jordi Alba have not been present, which has also raised the possibility that they are looking for an excuse to not play.

According to MLS All Star coach Nico Estevez: "I don't know (about the absence of Messi and Jordi Alba), that question should be asked to MLS officials, I only coach the players they give me. Of course, I would love to see Messi play, it would be a pleasure to work, even for a short time, with the greatest player of all time."

Inter Miami FC is still silent on whether Messi and Jordi Alba will travel to Texas in the coming days to participate in the above all-star match. According to the US press, if Messi is absent without a convincing reason, according to MLS rules, he will miss the next match against FC Cincinnati.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tranh-cai-messi-thi-dau-tran-cac-ngoi-sao-mls-2025-cdv-muon-hlv-noi-khong-18525072212094667.htm