Lionel Messi Predictions and Top Storylines Surrounding MLS All-Star Game 2025

Lionel Messi and the Major League Soccer All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars at the 2025 MLS All-Star Game in Austin on Wednesday.

As always, Messi is the main attraction in the event, but he might not play a ton given the congestion in Inter Miami's schedule and the abundance of forwards on the All-Star roster.

The MLS team is looking to get back on track after a pair of blowout losses in the last two All-Star Games. The Liga MX team won 4-1 last year.

Wednesday's showcase marks the fourth time in five years that the best players from the two North American leagues face off in the exhibition. MLS won the 2021 and 2022 editions, while Liga MX was victorious in 2024.

MLS All-Star Game Info

Date: Wednesday, July 23

Start Time: 9 p.m. ET

Live Stream: Apple

Top Storylines

Lionel Messi is the player everyone wants to see in the MLS-versus-Liga MX showcase.

However, there is a chance Messi doesn't suit up for the MLS All-Stars due to small injury concerns and the heavy schedule Inter Miami has in front of it. The Herons play FC Cincinnati on Saturday before embarking on their League Cup campaign at the start of August.

If he does play, Messi probably won't be on the field long because there are a total of eight forwards on the roster.

Messi was voted into the MLS All-Star Team at forward alongside Philadelphia's Tai Baribo and LAFC's Denis Bouanga.

All five of MLS' top scorers in 2025 are on the All-Star roster. Messi, Baribo, Bouanga, Evander of FC Cincinnati and Nashville's Sam Surridge provide plenty of firepower for the MLS side.

Messi's Miami teammate Jordi Alba and a handful of USMNT Gold Cup participants round out the starting XI. Orlando City's Alex Freeman, Vancouver's Sebastian Berhalter and Gold Cup breakout star Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake will all start.

Expect Luna to have the biggest impact on the MLS squad out of the USMNT contingent. The RSL midfielder is riding high at the moment after a successful Gold Cup campaign that launched him into the World Cup roster conversation.

The Liga MX All-Star roster is no slouch either. Sergio Ramos is the most notable name on the list. The former Real Madrid star is currently playing for Monterrey.

The Toluca pair of Alexis Vega and Paulinho, as well as Club America's Henry Martin, will be difficult for the MLS defenders to contain. Liga MX put up four goals on the MLS defense in 2024.

At minimum, a high-scoring game is expected because of the nature of the exhibition contest. The last two MLS All-Star Games featured 10 goals.

If Messi plays, expect him to get in on the scoring action before he leaves the field given the run of form he is in. Messi comes into Austin with eight goals in the last five games.

Prediction: Liga MX 3, MLS 2 (Messi scores for MLS)