The highly anticipated 2025 MLS All-Star Game between the top stars of Liga MX and Major League Soccer will be missing one of its biggest names: James Rodríguez. The Colombian midfielder from Club León will not be part of the event, set to take place on Wednesday, July 23 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Rodríguez has been dealing with a muscle injury and did not travel with the rest of his teammates to the United States. After medical evaluations, it was decided that he would remain sidelined to focus on his recovery process. His absence is a major blow to the Liga MX squad, as he was expected to be one of the marquee players for the showcase match.
Another star whose participation remains uncertain is Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami and Argentina legend. While he is officially listed on the MLS roster for the All-Star Game, his availability is in doubt. Messi skipped both the team’s most recent training session and the Skills Challenge, raising concerns about whether he’ll take part in the match. The decision is expected to be made hours before kickoff, with his physical condition and Inter Miami’s packed schedule influencing the outcome.
Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos has been officially confirmed as a participant for the Liga MX All-Star team. The Spanish defender and former Real Madrid icon, now with Rayados de Monterrey, was a late question mark after he was spotted training with his club instead of traveling with the rest of the Liga MX squad. However, Liga MX president Mikel Arriola put the speculation to rest on social media, announcing that Ramos will not only play but also serve as captain of the Liga MX team.
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“The captain of the @LigaBBVAMX team in tomorrow’s All-Star Game against @MLS in Austin will be the legendary @SergioRamos,” Arriola posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Many thanks to the @Rayados management and Sergio for their willingness and support to participate.”
Ramos joined Monterrey in February and has quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his leadership and strong performances. His presence adds even more star power to a matchup that already features elite talent from both sides of the border—even if some big names may be missing.
