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

At the first training session for the MLS All-Stars on Monday, two major names were missing: Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba. 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 two 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."

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."

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."

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.