The Inter Miami star was selected in the public vote but he won’t be playing against the Liga MX team in Columbus.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jul 24th, 2024 16:27 EDT0
MEGAN BRIGGSAFP
The 2024 MLS All-Star Game will see the best players in the United States take on a select XI of Liga MX stars, with pan-continental bragging rights to play for.
Well, most of the best players in the United States. The MLS team draws together the biggest stars in the league but will be without Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami captain who fired his team to a Leagues Cup triumph in 2023.
Unsurprisingly, Messi was chosen as part of the team in the All-Star Team public vote but he was forced to withdraw from the game after picking up an ankle injury in the Copa América final. The 37-year-old was substituted in the second half of Argentina’s victory over Colombia on July 14 and has not featured since.
Lionel Messi wore a walking boot on his injured right ankle as he was honored for his historic 45 career titles.Wishing him a quick recovery. pic.twitter.com/dBsJIGruns
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) July 21, 2024
Before the injury, Messi was hotly-tipped to be named the MLS All-Star Team captain. In his absence a fellow Argentinian No. 10 – reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta – will wear the armband in his place.
When will Lionel Messi play his next game for Inter Miami?
Messi suffered an ankle injury in the first half of the Copa América final and, although he initially sought to play on, hobbled from the field shortly after the halftime break. The Argentina captain was seen in tears on the substitutes bench, his ankle visibly swollen, and many onlookers feared that he might face a lengthy lay-off.
In the days after the game Inter Miami released an injury update: “After a medical evaluation, it has been determined that Leo Messi has suffered a ligament injury in his right ankle.”
Messi was in attendance at Inter Miami’s MLS victory over Chicago Fire last weekend, wearing a boot on his ankle at Chase Stadium. He was moving gingerly on his right foot but the noises from the Miami coaching team have been broadly positive.
