Lionel Messi was absent in the MLS All-Star Game, and Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano delivered an update on the legend's status. Lionel Messi’s last-minute absence from the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday raised questions about whether the Inter Miami star was dealing with an injury or had simply opted out.

Inter Miami will host FC Cincinnati in a matchup of two of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference on Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. FC Cincinnati (15-6-3, 48 points) blanked Inter Miami 3-0 on July 16 and surged to the top spot in the conference following a 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not play in the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, MLS announced Wednesday. They were the vote leaders at their positions.