Ikhtisar Bonnyton Thistle

Lionel Messi will once again be the notable absentee from the MLS All-Star Game this week in Charlotte, but the Inter Miami superstar is set to avoid the disciplinary action that followed his withdrawal last year. Despite being named to the roster for the showpiece event against the Liga MX All-Stars, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has been granted special leave alongside international team-mate Rodrigo De Paul.

At 29 years old, Chucky Lozano is experiencing his first MLS season with expansion side San Diego FC

Rivero, Lira, and Rotondi will stay in Mexico for Cruz Azul, while Henry Martín and Sebastián Cáceres will also miss the match due to injury.

Ahead of this week's midsummer matchup, GOAL looks back 30 years at the first MLS All-Star Game in New Jersey