Star soccer player, Lionel Messi, announced as MLS All-Star team captain
Embed from Getty Images (No caption needed, the image speaks for itself as it depicts none other than the legendary Lionel Messi, MVP of the league and the headline name for the upcoming MLS All-Star game on July 23).
Hey There!
Get set for the hotly anticipated MLS All-Star game, coming your way next month! The star-of-the-show, none other than the incredibally talented Lionel Messi, has been picked for the team. Remember, he was also nominated last year, but a pesky ankle injury kept him on the bench. Fingers crossed things go smoothly this time!
Messi doesn't just top the charts for Inter Miami, he ranks third in MLS with a whopping 15 goal involvements this season (10 goals, 5 assists)! He's neck and neck with only Austin FC's Anders Dreyer (19) and Samuel Surridge of Nashville SC (17). Guess who else hits the pitch alongside Messi? You got it! The quick-footed Jordi Alba of Inter Miami, included in the squad for the second consecutive year.
But not all of our star players make the cut every year. Stalwarts like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets, who both starred in the 2024 squad, have missed out this time round.
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Charged with leading the team is the coach of Austin FC, Nico Estevez. The one-off match at Q2 Stadium features a formidable squad of 26 players from 14 MLS teams in total.
Here's a quick look at the MLS teams that boast the most players in the squad:- Vancouver Whitecaps: With an impressive 4 players involved, they've taken the crown for the most representatives.- San Diego FC: Surf's up for these newbies, bagging more than two players in the roster.
The MLS All-Star match was last won by Liga MX, with a resounding 4-1 victory in Columbus last year. Let's see if the tides have turned this time round!
The MLS All-Star game is set to feature more than just Lionel Messi, the star-studded event will also include Jordi Alba of Inter Miami. In addition to football, American football enthusiasts might be interested to know that Messi's impressive performance in the MLS has earned him the third spot, with 15 goal involvements this season, putting him in the same league as American Football League's (AFL) top scorers.
