Lionel Messi has been officially ruled out of the MLS All-Star Game at Charlotte on Wednesday.

Messi reached the World Cup final with Argentina, losing 1-0 to Spain in extra time as they failed to defend their title.

The Inter Miami captain has been named in the MLS All-Star squad in each of the past three years, but is yet to feature in the match itself.

He is one of four players ruled out of the All-Star Game, with Rodrigo De Paul, Hugo Cuypers and Mbekezeli Mbokazi also set to sit it out.

De Paul, Messi's Miami and Argentina team-mate, is also being rested after the World Cup run.

However, Cuypers has lost his spot after moving to Mexico side CF Monterrey from the Chicago Fire on Thursday.

Mbokazi, Cuypers' former team-mate in Chicago, is ruled out with a lower body injury, having also appeared at the World Cup for South Africa.

Miami's Yannick Bright, Vancouver Whitecaps' Andres Cubas, Houston Dynamo's Guilherme and Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago have been named as their replacements.

Guilherme has registered eight goals and five assists in his first season with the Dynamo, while Zinckernagel has five goals and seven assists so far in 2026.

The MLS All-Stars take on the Liga MX All-Stars in Charlotte on Wednesday.