Inter Miami’s Argentine superstar Lionel Messi will miss the upcoming Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star game as he takes a necessary period of rest following a demanding international campaign. MLS officials confirmed the decision on Saturday, 26 July, removing the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner from the marquee exhibition match scheduled to take place on Wednesday in Charlotte, North Carolina. The annual event pits a curated team of MLS elite players against a selection of top stars from Mexico’s Liga MX.
Messi is one of four high-profile players withdrawn from the fixture. Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul will also sit out the match for similar reasons, as both Argentine internationals are recovering after extensive national team duties during the World Cup. Former Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers has been excluded following his recent transfer to Mexican side CF Monterrey, whilst South African defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi misses out after sustaining a lower-body injury.
To fill the vacancies left by the departing quartet, MLS officials have called up four replacements boasting impressive domestic form. The roster additions include Inter Miami midfielder Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas, Houston Dynamo forward Guilherme, and Chicago Fire forward Philip Zinckernagel.
The inclusion of these replacement players highlights their standout performances throughout the current domestic campaign:
Yannick Bright (Inter Miami): The midfielder has been a talismanic figure for his side. Inter Miami have recorded nine wins, two draws, and just one defeat across the 12 matches where Bright featured in the starting line-up.
Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps): A pivotal engine in the Whitecaps’ midfield, Cubas has contributed three assists across 12 appearances this season.
Guilherme (Houston Dynamo): Making an immediate impact in his debut season in Texas, the forward has accumulated eight goals and five assists for Houston Dynamo.
Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire): Providing vital firepower for Chicago, the Danish forward has registered five goals and seven assists so far this term.
While the absence of a global icon like Messi inevitably diminishes some of the star power heading to North Carolina, the cross-border rivalry between MLS and Liga MX continues to promise an exciting contest for supporters across North America.
