MLS All-Stars Face Liga MX: Who Boasts the Higher-Value Squad?
When it comes to American soccer, nothing captures the essence of summer quite like the MLS All-Star Game.
While other top-tier leagues worldwide don't feature an All-Star exhibition, this premier event maintains a unique position in the MLS schedule, uniting many of the league's finest talents to display their skills in both a competitive match and various skill challenges.
Although previous iterations of the MLS All-Star Game included exhibition matches against prestigious European clubs and cross-league competitions, the 2025 version maintained the format of MLS's elite facing off against Mexico's Liga MX stars.
Each squad boasts exceptional talent, assembled through various selection methods. The MLS All-Star lineup was formed through a combination of supporter and media voting, along with selections from commissioner Don Garber and host team coach, Austin FC's Nico Estévez.
In contrast, the Liga MX squad consists of nominees and award recipients from the latest Liga MX campaign, plus several choices from Club América manager Andre Jardine, who leads the team for his second consecutive year.
However, how do the rosters compare in terms of market value? The gap is narrower than expected.
Sports Illustrated calculated the market values of each player selected for the initial squads, based on TransferMarkt data, with Liga MX slightly ahead of MLS. Nevertheless, these figures may change before the July 23 encounter, as Patrick Agyemang appears set to leave Charlotte FC for Derby County, while Brandon Vázquez sustained an injury that will sideline him from the event.
Review the detailed breakdowns below, featuring data from TransferMarkt converted to U.S. currency.
MLS All Stars Combined Value: $150.5 million
Player | Value (USD) | Club |
|---|---|---|
GK: Dayne St. Clair | $3.27m | Minnesota United |
GK: Brad Stuver | $700k | Austin FC |
GK: Yohei Takaoka | $3.51m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
D: Jordi Alba | $1.75m | Inter Miami CF |
D: Max Arfsten | $2.92m | Columbus Crew SC |
D: Tristan Blackmon | $3.27m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
D: Michael Boxall | $180k | Minnesota United |
D: Alex Freeman | $1.17m | Orlando City SC |
D: Jakob Glesnes | $4.09m | Philadelphia Union |
D: Andy Najar | $470k | Nashville SC |
D: Miles Robinson | $4.09m | FC Cincinnati |
M: Sebastian Berhalter | $2.34m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
M: David Da Costa | $7.01m | Portland Timbers |
M: Evander | $16.7m | FC Cincinnati |
M: Diego Luna | $9.35m | Real Salt Lake |
M: Jeppe Tverskov | $700k | San Diego FC |
M: Philip Zinckernagel | $2.34m | Chicago Fire |
F: Tai Baribo | $5.85m | Philadelphia Union |
F: Denis Bouanga | $9.35m | LAFC |
F: Anders Dreyer | $10.52m | San Diego FC |
F: Chucky Lozano | $10.69m | San Diego FC |
F: Lionel Messi | $21.04m | Inter Miami CF |
F: Diego Rossi | $9.94m | Columbus Crew SC |
F: Brian White | $5.85m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
F: Brandon Vazquez (injured) | $8.77m | Austin FC |
F: Patrick Agyemang (transferred) | $4.68m | Charlotte FC |
Liga MX All Stars Combined Value: $167.58 million
Player | Value (USD) | Club |
|---|---|---|
GK: Luis Malagón | $9.35m | Club América |
GK: Kevin Mier | $8.18m | Cruz Azul |
D: Sebastián Cáceres | $5.85m | Club América |
D: Willer Ditta | $5.85m | Cruz Azul |
D: Luan García | $1.75m | Toluca |
D: Jesús Gallardo | $4.09m | Toluca |
D: Joaquim Pereira | $7.01m | Tigres |
D: Sergio Ramos | $1.40m | Monterrey |
D: Israel Reyes | $4.69m | Club América |
D: Ignacio Rivero | $2.34m | Cruz Azul |
D: Carlos Rotondi | $5.26m | Cruz Azul |
M: Roberto Alvarado | $7.60m | Chivas Guadalajara |
M: Juan Brunetta | $7.60m | Tigres |
M: Sergio Canales | $7.01m | Monterrey |
M: Rodrigo Dourado | $4.09m | Atlético de San Luis |
M: Érik Lira | $9.35m | Cruz Azul |
M: Elías Montiel | $5.85m | Pachuca |
M: Gilberto Mora | $3.50m | Tijuana |
M: James Rodríguez | $2.92m | Club Léon |
M: Marcel Ruíz | $8.77m | Toluca |
M: Agustín Palavecino | $4.68m | Necaxa |
M: Alejandro Zendejas | $9.36m | Club América |
F: Diber Cambindo | $7.60m | Necaxa |
F: Hugo Camberos | $2.50m | Chivas Guadalajara |
F: Henry Martín | $3.51m | Club América |
F: Paulinho | $8.77m | Toluca |
F: Brian Rodríguez | $7.01m | Club América |
F: Alexis Vega | $11.69m | Toluca |