Inter Miami’s Messi key player in MLS All-Star Game selection

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi topped the list of 30 players selected Monday for this month’s MLS All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio, against top prospects from Mexico’s LIGA MX.

For Messi, who is in his first full season with Inter Miami after joining the club in July 2023, this marks his debut in a Major League Soccer All-Star selection.

The 37-year-old, who is currently playing for Argentina in the Copa America, will be joined in the squad by fellow Miami players Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

A total of 18 Major League Soccer clubs are represented in the squad, with Columbus Crew (five) and Inter Miami (four) leading the way.

The selection was compiled based on a combination of votes from 12 fans, players and the media, 16 picks from MLS All-Star head coach Wilfried Nancy of host team Columbus and two picks from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

Messi, who made a magical start to life in MLS last season, has enjoyed continued success this season, scoring 12 goals and providing 13 assists in his first 12 games of 2024, making him the quickest player to reach 25 goals in a season.

Messi and his Miami teammates were all selected, while Garber expressed his preference for Hector Herrera (Houston Dynamo) and Darlington Nabe (Columbus).

The All-Star Game will be played on July 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET (00:00 GMT).