Messi and Son named to MLS All-Star roster for 2026 game

Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min headline the first group of players selected for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, which will be played against a Liga MX All-Star team on July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The initial eleven players were chosen through a combined vote of fans, players, and media.

The MLS "First XI" includes five players who will also compete in the upcoming FIFA World Cup: Messi of Inter Miami and Argentina; Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC and South Korea; Tim Ream of Charlotte FC and the United States; Sebastian Berhalter of Vancouver Whitecaps and the United States; and Mbekezeli Mbokazi of Chicago Fire and South Africa. The other initial selections are goalkeeper Brian Schwake of Nashville SC; defenders Anthony Markanich of Minnesota United and Andy Najar of Nashville SC; midfielders Zavier Gozo of Real Salt Lake and Hany Mukhtar of Nashville SC; and forward Hugo Cuypers of Chicago Fire.

This marks Messi's third consecutive All-Star selection since joining MLS, though he has yet to appear in the match, having missed the 2024 edition due to injury and skipping the 2025 game, which resulted in a one-game suspension from the league. He is expected to make...