'That’s a question for his club' - MLS All-Star coach Nicolás Estevez confirms three Inter Miami players absent from training, 'hopeful' Lionel Messi will still make his ASG debut

Posted Tuesday, July 22, 2025 by goal

'That’s a question for his club' - MLS All-Star coach Nicolás Estevez confirms three Inter Miami players absent from training, 'hopeful' Lionel Messi will still make his ASG debut
MLS All-Star Team Training - 2025 MLS All-Star Game

Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets all miss first training session in Austin ahead of Wednesday’s All-Star Game

WHAT HAPPENED?

At the first training session for the MLS All-Stars on Monday, three major names were missing: Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. The match is set to take place on Wednesday at Q2 Stadium in Austin against the Liga MX All-Stars, but uncertainty remains over whether Inter Miami’s three stars - especially Messi - will take the field, as he has recently carried a heavy workload with his club.

MLS All-Star coach Nicolás Estevez was cautious when asked about Messi’s potential participation, saying, “That’s a question for his club. I just coach and use the players I’m given. I hope so - I’m very optimistic and I hope he can be there."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Estevez outlined how playing time will be managed for players taking part in Wednesday’s game. There’s still no clarity on how many minutes Messi will get - if any - especially after Javier Mascherano suggested the Miami star should be rested.

"The idea will always be to prioritize the player's well-being, to take care of their fitness and health," Estevez said, noting that the MLS regular season returns with games just two days after the ASG. "Those who play on Friday will be limited to 30 minutes, and those who play on Saturday will have a 45-minute limit. There are players scheduled to play on Saturday who are dealing with some discomfort, so we’ll be cautious."

WHAT ESTEVEZ SAID

The Spanish coach understands the responsibility that comes with leading the MLS All-Stars.

"We have to understand the match load these players are carrying, so we have a huge responsibility to take care of their health," he said. "Today we had active recovery on the field. We want them to compete but also to have fun - football is about interactions, and I want to bring them together in the positions they’ll play in the match. They’ve come in with great mindset, excitement, and the will to win."

DID YOU KNOW?

While the MLS All-Star Game has been held since 1996, the format and opponents have evolved over the years. Since 2021, Liga MX has become a regular rival in the showcase match, setting up a direct clash between the two leagues.