Leo Messi has not participated in either of the two training sessions prior to the MLS All-Star Game, an exhibition match to be played on Wednesday in Austin, Texas, between the best players from the US and Mexican leagues. His absence is due to physical discomfort.
According to MLS regulations, players who do not attend the match without a justified injury are sanctioned with a one-match suspension, as happened in 2018 with Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he was at LA Galaxy.
Valencian coach Nico Estevez, current coach of Austin FC, will be responsible for coaching the MLS All-Star team. On the possible participation of the Argentine star, Estevez said that he has no information about it and that the decision is not in his hands. “I just coach and manage the players that are assigned to me. Hopefully he will be with us, because he is the best soccer player of all time,” he said. For now, Messi’s presence is uncertain. It should be remembered that he did not participate in the previous edition either due to an ankle injury suffered in the final of the Copa America.
Another absentee from training was Jordi Alba, who was also scheduled to compete in Tuesday’s skills contest, but did not show up. Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez were not called up for the match.
On the Mexican side, there was also a notable absentee: James Rodriguez (Leon), who was also due to take part in the skills contest, but did not show up and, according to The New York Times, will not play tonight.
In contrast, there was uncertainty about the participation of Sergio Ramos (Monterrey), but Mikel Arriola, president of Liga MX, confirmed that the Spanish defender will be in the match and will captain the Mexican team.
The duel between the two leagues will begin at around 3:00 a.m. (Spanish time).
MLS All-Star selections
MLS All-Stars
- Goalkeepers: Brad Stuver, Dayne St. Clair, Roman Bürki.
- Defenders: Jakob Glesnes, Joe Fuchs, Miles Robinson, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Michael Boxall, Sebastian Berhalter, Diego Rossi, Tomas Aviles, Walker Zimmerman, Kai Wagner, Andrew Privett, Nathan Byrne, Aidan Morris, Max Arfsten, Adilson Malanda, Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Pedro Santos, Tristan Blackmon.
- Midfielders: Philip Zinkernagel, Marco Pašalic, James Sands, Riqui Puig, Evander, Luciano Acosta, Carles Gil, Xherdan Shaqiri, Diego Luna, Tali Baribo.
- Forwards: Lionel Messi, Andres Dreyer, Hirving Lozano, Cristian Roldan, Brian White, Cucho Hernandez, Denis Bouanga, Sam Surridge.
Liga MX All-Stars
- Goalkeepers: Luis Angel Malagon, Tiago Volpi, Kevin Mier.
- Defenders: Joaquin Pereira, Israel Reyes, Willer Ditta, Sebastian Caceres, Jesus Gallardo, Luan Garcia, Hugo Camberos.
- Midfielders: Erik Lira, Brian Rodriguez, Alexis Vega, Sergio Canales, Marcel Ruiz, Alejandro Zendejas, Juan Brunetta, Rodrigo Dourado, Fernando Gorriaran, Roberto Alvarado, Edgar Lopez, Pablo Barrera, Elber Cambindo, Carlos Rotondi, James Rodriguez, Ignacio Rivero.
- Forwards: Agustin Palavecino, Henry Martin, Uriel Antuna, Sergio Barajas.
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