Messi Spearheads Star-Studded 2025 MLS All-Stars Squad
The lineup for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game has been revealed, featuring an impressive collection of talent.
Following MLS's announcement of the uniform that its top players will don for the match, the league has disclosed the 26-player squad, with Inter Miami's Lionel Messi taking center stage as he makes his comeback to the roster after being absent from last year's event due to an injury sustained during the Copa América while representing Argentina.
Under the guidance of Eric Nico Estévez, Austin FC's head coach serving as the host team's leader, the MLS All-Stars will compete against Liga MX's finest in a skills challenge on July 22, followed by the main showcase event on July 23.
Among the 26 selections, which include 10 American players and 16 international stars, 12 were chosen through fan voting across MLS, 12 were handpicked by Estévez, and MLS Commissioner Don Garber contributed two additional commissioner's selections.
Beyond Messi's marquee presence, other notable inclusions feature MLS Golden Boot frontrunner and Israeli international Tai Baribo, along with eight athletes who have donned the U.S. men's national team jersey.
The MLS versus Liga MX format will persist in 2025, marking the fourth occurrence in the past five seasons of this latest All-Star arrangement, which has evolved from previous formats that included East versus West Conference matchups and contests against prestigious European clubs.
In 2024, MLS suffered a 4–1 defeat to Liga MX, coming after a 5–0 setback against Arsenal in 2023. Prior to 2023, MLS secured victories in both the 2021 and 2022 encounters with Liga MX.
The 2025 squad includes four representatives from Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC, along with three players each from Austin FC and newcomers San Diego FC. Additionally, Columbus Crew, Minnesota United, Inter Miami, Orlando City SC, Nashville SC, the Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, Chicago Fire, LAFC, and Charlotte FC each contribute at least one player.
View the complete MLS All-Star lineup for the upcoming game below:
2025 MLS All Star Roster
MLS All Star Goalkeepers
Player | Club | Selection Process | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
Dayne St. Clair | Minnesota United | Voted in | Canada |
Brad Stuver | Austin FC | Coach's Selection | U.S. |
Yohei Takaoka | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Coach's Selection | Japan |
MLS All Star Defenders
Player | Club | Selection Process | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
Jordi Alba | Inter Miami | Voted in | Spain |
Max Arfsten | Columbus Crew SC | Coach's Selection | U.S. |
Tristan Blackmon | Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Voted in | U.S. |
Michael Boxall | Minnesota United | Voted in | New Zealand |
Alex Freeman | Orlando City SC | Voted in | U.S. |
Jakob Glesnes | Philadelphia Union | Coach's Selection | Norway |
Andy Najar | Nashville SC | Coach's Selection | Honduras |
Miles Robinson | FC Cincinnati | Coach's Selection | U.S. |
MLS All Star Midfielders
Player | Club | Selection Process | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
Sebastian Berhalter | Vancouver Whitecaps | Voted in | U.S. |
David Da Costa | Portland Timbers | Coach's Selection | Portugal |
Evander | FC Cincinnati | Voted in | Brazil |
Diego Luna | Real Salt Lake | Voted in | U.S. |
Jeppe Tverskov | San Diego FC | Coach's Selection | Denmark |
Philip Zinckernagel | Chicago Fire | Coach's Selection | Denmark |
MLS All-Star Forwards
Player | Club | Selection Process | Nation |
|---|---|---|---|
Patrick Agyemang | Charlotte FC | Comissioner's Pick | U.S. |
Tai Baribo | Philadelphia Union | Comissioner's Pick | Israel |
Denis Bouanga | LAFC | Voted in | Gabon |
Anders Dreyer | San Diego FC | Coach's Selection | Denmark |
Hirving Lozano | San Diego FC | Comissioner's Pick | Mexico |
Lionel Messi | Inter Miami | Voted in | Argentina |
Diego Rossi | Columbus Crew SC | Coach's Selection | Argentina |
Brandon Vázquez | Austin FC | Coach's Selection | U.S. |
Brian White | Vancouver Whitecaps | Voted in | U.S. |