The Big Absence: Why Messi is Missing the Montréal vs Inter Miami Clash
Football fans worldwide were eagerly anticipating the showdown of Montréal vs Inter Miami, but there is a significant void in the lineup. Lionel Messi, the league’s biggest draw, will not be taking the pitch. While his absence last year sparked controversy and led to a suspension, this time the narrative is different: it is all about recovery.
Messi, along with teammate Rodrigo De Paul, has been granted an excused absence. After a grueling run to the World Cup final with Argentina on July 19, the physical toll has been immense. To ensure long-term performance, both stars are prioritizing rest and rehabilitation before returning to club action.
The MLSPA Agreement: Prioritizing Player Health
This decision isn’t arbitrary. Prior to the 2026 season, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) established a crucial agreement. The pact ensures that players returning from World Cup competition receive individualized recovery timelines determined through conversations between the clubs and the athletes.
Consequently, both Messi and De Paul missed Inter Miami’s recent victory over the Chicago Fire and will remain sidelined for the highly anticipated match against CF Montréal.
MLS All-Star Game: Squad Changes and New Faces
The ripple effect of these absences extends to the MLS All-Star Game, where the league will face a powerhouse group of Liga MX stars at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium. Because Messi and De Paul are resting, MLS has had to pivot its strategy.
Key replacements entering the squad include:
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- Yannick Bright (Inter Miami)
- Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Guilherme (Houston Dynamo)
- Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire)
Despite missing the Argentine maestro, the MLS squad still boasts incredible foreign star power, leaning on the likes of Son Heung-min and Thomas Müller to lead the attack, alongside rising U.S. talents like Julian Hall and Zavier Gozo.
The Rivalry: MLS vs Liga MX
For the fifth time in six years, the MLS All-Stars will battle the best of Mexico’s top flight. The Liga MX roster is equally formidable, featuring World Cup veterans such as Gilberto Mora and Jesús Gallardo, as well as the legendary Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Updated MLS All-Star Roster at a Glance
With the recent changes, the squad is now balanced across all positions to combat the Liga MX threat:
- Goalkeepers: Maxime Crépeau, Matt Freese, Brian Schwake.
- Defenders: Tim Ream, Richie Laryea, Andy Najar, and others.
- Midfielders: Thomas Müller, Hany Mukhtar, Carles Gil, and Yannick Bright.
- Forwards: Son Heung-Min, Petar Musa, and Guilherme.
While the Montréal vs Inter Miami matchup may lack its biggest star, the broader MLS landscape remains electric as the league prepares for a high-stakes international exhibition.
