The 2025 MLS All-Star Game promises fireworks, prestige, and a renewed chapter in North America’s most exciting soccer rivalry. But long before a ball is kicked at TQL Stadium in Austin, Texas on July 23, headlines are already swirling — and not just because Lionel Messi will once again don the MLS All-Star jersey. Across the pitch, a formidable Liga MX All-Star squad has been revealed, and it’s packed with household names, international heroes, and rising stars.



What makes this roster even more intriguing is the way it was built. While fans eagerly anticipate the star-studded showdown, the full list of names features legends of the game and the continent’s most in-form talents.



Liga MX approached this year’s All-Star selection with a multi-tiered strategy. The first 14 names came through fan votes, based on the shortlist from the 2025 Liga MX Balon de Oro Awards. The next 14 players were selected by André Jardine, the award-winning Club América coach, who earned the honor of managing this year’s All-Star squad.



The final two spots will be filled by Liga MX president Mikel Arriola, whose commissioner picks are expected in the coming days. Altogether, this creates a 30-man squad, reflecting both popular support and managerial vision.



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<h2>Big names, bigger expectations</h2>



The announcement sparked excitement not just for its structure, but for the names themselves. Former Real Madrid stars Sergio Ramos and James Rodríguez headline a team brimming with talent and experience.



“This group blends veterans who’ve won at the highest level with young players hungry to make their mark,” Jardine told reporters during the squad announcement.



Joining Ramos and Rodríguez are seven members of Mexico’s Gold Cup-winning squad, fresh off their triumph against the USMNT. Gilberto Mora, the teenage sensation who became the youngest player to win an international trophy, also features.



Club América, unsurprisingly, dominates the squad list, contributing six players to the roster. They’re followed closely by Toluca and Cruz Azul, each sending five representatives after successful domestic and continental campaigns.



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<h2>Full roster of Liga MX All-Stars</h2>



While the complete list boasts 28 confirmed players, some names stand out: goalkeeper Kevin Mier (Cruz Azul), striker Henry Martín (América), and forward Paulinho (Toluca), who was voted Forward of the Year.



Midfield balance comes from players like Agustín Palavecino (Necaxa), Rodrigo Dourado (Atlético San Luis), and Alejandro Zendejas (Club América), the latter doubling as a U.S. international. Defensively, the experience of Sergio Ramos, Jesús Gallardo, and Willer Ditta gives the backline muscle and leadership.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true">¡Estamos a nada del gran duelo All-Stars entre la Liga MX y la MLS! 💥⚽ André Jardine no se guardó nada y convocó a lo mejor de lo mejor de nuestro balompié. Ellos son: <a href="https://t.co/RMPUvOSz30">pic.twitter.com/RMPUvOSz30</a>— DIARIO RÉCORD (@record_mexico) <a href="https://twitter.com/record_mexico/status/1943095902396133770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2025</a></blockquote></div>




<h2>Messi returns, but MLS goes youthful</h2>



On the MLS side, Lionel Messi headlines a younger, leaner roster that mixes rising stars like Diego Luna and Patrick Agyemang with proven performers like Denis Bouanga and Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. While Messi’s presence adds glitz, the selection leans more toward form than fame this year.



MLS coach Nico Estevez of Austin FC crafted his squad with an eye on balance and attacking variety, making the duel even more tactically intriguing.



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">All bangers. No skips. 🎶 Introducing your 2025 MLS All-Star team headed to Austin, TX. ✨ <a href="https://t.co/J6yfcJwfhl">pic.twitter.com/J6yfcJwfhl</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1938004310970786293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote></div>

Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez vs Lionel Messi: Liga MX and MLS All-Star rosters revealed

Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez vs Lionel Messi: Liga MX and MLS All-Star rosters revealed - World Soccer Talk

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Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has reportedly proposed to host a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/30/premier-league-all-star-game-reportedly-still-in-the-works/">Premier League all-star game</a> at Stamford Bridge in August. The <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-fc-latest-news-ukraine-mudryk-boehly-2023-b1069626.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evening Standard</a> claims that the match would essentially be a fundraiser for Ukraine. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/russian-invasion-impacts-global-soccer-20220303-CMS-373082.html">Russia hammered the Eastern European nation</a> following an invasion that began over a year ago. 



Team co-owner Todd Boehly first floated the idea of an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-traveling-to-usa-to-play-in-2023-mls-all-star-game-20230320-WST-423810.html">American-style all-star match</a> back in September. The scheme originally started as an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/13/boehly-premier-league-all-star-game/">effort to raise more money</a> for the league. “Ultimately, I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports,”&nbsp;<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/13/boehly-premier-league-all-star-game/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a>&nbsp;Boehly. “MLB did their all-star game in L.A. this year. We made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday.”



<h5>Mudryk deal included clauses to help home nation</h5>



The Blues have ties to Ukraine, too. They previously purchased Ukraine international Mykhailo Mudryk in January in a deal that could reach $100 million. Part of the agreement with the player’s former club, Shakhtar Donetsk, included a payment of $24 million to go straight to helping Ukrainian soldiers. 



Along with this donation, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> also agreed to visit Ukraine to play a friendly against Shakhtar as well. Donbass Arena in Donetsk is hosting the match. However, the stadium has been closed for years. It was also damaged during the Russian invasion. A friendly will take place at the arena once the conflict eventually ends.



<h2>Boehly proposes All-Star Game to raise Football for Ukraine funds</h2>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal’s</a> Oleksandr Zinchenko would also feature in the all-star game if it happens. Zinchenko, also a Ukraine international, founded <a href="https://www.footballforukraine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Football for Ukraine</a> following the invasion of his homeland. The non-profit charity organizes support through donations to offer supplies and to help rebuild damaged areas inside the country. Former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko is part of the project as well.



Although not yet confirmed, the potential all-star match would take place in the beginning of August. Details of the players or teams involved is not yet solidified. However, other Ukrainian players in the Premier League can feature. This means that Everton’s Vitaliy Mykolenko and Bournemouth’s Illya Zabarnyi should also feature. The 2023/24 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> campaign begins on August 12, so the game would have to take place before then.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Colorsport

Boehly wants EPL all-star game as fundraiser for Ukraine

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has reportedly proposed to host a Premier League all-star game at Stamford Bridge in August. The Evening Standard claims that the match would essentially be a fundraiser for Ukraine. Russia hammered the Eastern European nation following an invasion that began over a year ago. Team co-owner Todd Boehly first floated the [&hellip;]

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly wants to organize an all-star game to help raise funds for Ukraine, an idea floating around for some time.

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Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez vs Lionel Messi: Liga MX and MLS All-Star rosters revealed

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Boehly wants EPL all-star game as fundraiser for Ukraine