Thu Jun 26 03:20:00 UTC 2025: **Headline: Messi and Alba Headline MLS All-Star Roster to Face Liga MX**

**Austin, TX** – Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba of Inter Miami CF have been named to the 26-player MLS All-Star roster that will face Liga MX’s best at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on July 23. Both veterans were voted in by fans, marking their second All-Star selection. Alba participated in the 2024 edition, but Messi was sidelined due to an injury.

The roster also boasts strong representation from the United States team playing in the Gold Cup, with seven players selected. The team was assembled through a combination of fan, player, and media voting (12 players), selections from All-Star coach Nico Estévez (12 players), and two picks by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

Notable omissions include Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, who, despite playing alongside Messi and Alba, did not receive enough votes or a coach’s selection.

Commissioner Garber’s selections were Patrick Agyemang of Charlotte FC and San Diego FC’s designated player, Hirving “Chucky” Lozano.

The Vancouver Whitecaps, currently leading the Western Conference, have four players represented on the All-Star team.

Several All-Stars will also participate in the MLS Skills Challenge on July 22 at Q2 Stadium.

Liga MX won the previous All-Star matchup in 2024, defeating the MLS All-Stars 4-1. The complete roster can be found below.

**GOALKEEPERS:** Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC), Brad Stuver (Austin FC), Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
**DEFENDERS:** Jordi Alba (Inter Miami CF), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Michael Boxall (Minnesota United FC), Alex Freeman (Orlando City SC), Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union), Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
**MIDFIELDERS:** Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), David Da Costa (Portland Timbers), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC), Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fire FC)
**FORWARDS / WINGERS:** Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC), Tai Baribo (Philadelphia Union), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano (San Diego FC), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew), Brandon Vazquez (Austin FC), Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

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