Overview
- MLS announced on July 25 that Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul will be excused from the July 29 All‑Star Game under a pre‑season agreement that covers players who reach the World Cup’s late stages.
- Both players traveled to Argentina after the tournament and will miss at least Inter Miami’s next MLS match against Montreal, with the club not yet giving official return dates.
- The league is not imposing sanctions in this case, a clear shift from 2025 when Messi and Jordi Alba were fined and suspended for skipping the All‑Star Game.
- Media outlets report that Messi and De Paul are likely to rejoin Inter Miami in early August ahead of the Leagues Cup, but that timing remains unconfirmed and dependent on the club’s medical and coaching decisions.
- The exemptions reflect concern for players’ physical recovery and emotional state after a long World Cup run, and they create a short‑term availability gap for Inter Miami that could affect its early Leagues Cup preparation.