Argentine star Lionel Messi will miss the 2026 MLS All-Star Game, just days after Argentina failed to defend their World Cup title.

Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain in extra time last Sunday, as Messi's teammates failed to retain the title they won in Qatar 2022.

While most of his national teammates have started their European off-season break, Messi, 39, is still in the middle of Inter Miami's season.

However, the Argentine captain's return to the pitch will not be immediate. According to ESPN, Messi is not expected to play in the All-Star Game scheduled for July 29 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, which pits MLS stars against their Liga MX counterparts.

Messi and his Argentina and Inter Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul were both named to the MLS All-Star roster, but Messi intends to miss the event for the second straight year.

The decision to sit out follows FIFPro recommendations that players must have a rest period of at least 21 days after the end of the season.

Although Messi is still officially in the middle of the MLS season, he played every minute of Argentina's World Cup campaign up to the final.

So far, the exact length of Messi's absence is unclear, but reports confirm he will definitely miss Inter Miami's next two matches against Chicago Fire and Montreal, with his absence likely extending until next Wednesday's All-Star Game.

Messi was suspended last season for missing the All-Star Game without league approval, but a similar penalty seems unlikely this time due to the exceptional circumstances and the short gap between the World Cup final and the exhibition match.

For his part, Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos told reporters Tuesday that there is still no specific date for the Argentine star's return to training and matches.