YouTube Sensation iShowSpeed Teams Up with Ex-Barcelona Legend for MLS All-Star Skills Challenge

While iShowSpeed is known for his admiration of Cristiano Ronaldo, he's now set to represent Lionel Messi's league in Major League Soccer.

Prior to the 2025 MLS All-Star celebrations in Austin, Texas, Major League Soccer revealed that the popular YouTuber and digital content creator will be part of Team MLS during the MLS All-Star Skills competition, where he'll face off with top league talents in various skill challenges against the Liga MX All-Stars.

Although Messi earned selection for the MLS All-Star Game, he won't be taking part in the skills competitions. Nevertheless, Speed will team up with stars like Inter Miami CF's Jordi Alba, FC Cincinnati's Evander, Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna and additional MLS elite players in his ongoing soccer adventure.

Different from typical soccer content creators, Speed has established a distinctive position in the field. His content has led him to create the small-sided Baller League, feature FIFA president Gianni Infantino on his livestreams, and meet various top-tier global players.

Rarely, however, beyond celebrity exhibition games, has he demonstrated his genuine soccer abilities. While his specific event participation remains unconfirmed, the 2024 Ballon d'Or ceremony attendee aims to excel among MLS and Liga MX's finest.

The competitions he could participate in feature a shooting test, a ball control test, a crossing and finishing test, an accuracy test, and a crossbar hitting test. One competition he cannot enter, yet might steal the spotlight, is MLS Goalie Wars, where keepers compete on a reduced-size field.

Though the 20-year-old from Cincinnati isn't considered a future professional prospect, he has previously impressed current U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, having played for him during the Match for Hope event in February in Qatar. However, the MLS Skills Challenge will likely present a greater challenge.

The 2025 MLS All-Star Skills Competition begins at 6:00 pm ET on Tuesday, July 22, leading up to the MLS vs. Liga MX All-Star Game on July 23, both taking place at Austin FC's Q2 Stadium.