After the shock of the final of the World Cup, Messi faces an enforced suspension

Argentina star Lionel Messi will miss the 2026 Major League Soccer All-Star Game, just days after his country failed to defend its World Cup title.

Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain in extra time on Sunday, leaving Messi’s team unable to retain the title they won at Qatar 2022.

Despite many of his teammates taking time off at the end of the European season, Messi, 39, is still linked with his club Inter Miami for the current season.

However, the return of the Argentinian captain to the field will not be immediate, reports the network ESPN:Messi is not expected to participate in the July 29 All-Star Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, which brings together the stars of the American League and their counterparts from the Mexican League.

Messi and his national team and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul were on the list of American League stars selected to attend the match, but Messi intends to miss the event for the second year in a row.

The absence decision is in line with the recommendations of the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro), which state that players must rest for no less than 21 days after the end of the season.

Although Messi is still officially in the middle of the MLS season, he has featured in every match for Argentina on their journey to the World Cup finals.

It’s not entirely clear how long Messi will be out for, but reports confirm he will be out for Inter Miami’s next two games against the Chicago Fire and Montreal, with his absence likely to last until next Wednesday’s All-Star Game.

Messi was suspended last season for missing the All-Star Game without the league’s approval, but such a punishment this time around seems unlikely given the exceptional circumstances and the short time between the World Cup final and the date of the exhibition game.

For his part, “Inter Miami” coach Guillermo Hoyos told reporters yesterday, Tuesday, that there is no specific date for the Argentine star’s return to training and matches yet.