Liga MX heads to MLS All-Star Game missing some of its biggest names

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Hooligan Soccer

·28 July 2026

Liga MX heads to MLS All-Star Game missing some of its biggest names

The MLS All-Star Game was already going to look a little different without Lionel Messi. Now Liga MX has decided it doesn’t want to be left out of the “missing superstars” trend.

What was supposed to be another showcase between the best players from Mexico and Major League Soccer has quickly turned into a contest of who’s bringing the shorter list of absentees. While Messi’s absence grabbed most of the headlines, Liga MX will also travel to Charlotte without several of the players fans were hoping to see.

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Mora & Navas Out

According to ESPN, Gilberto Mora and Keylor Navas are among the latest withdrawals from the Liga MX squad because of commitments with their respective clubs, adding to a growing list of notable absences ahead of the July 29 showdown in the United States.

Mora, one of Mexico’s breakout stars during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has quickly become one of the brightest young talents in Liga MX with Club Tijuana. However, the teenager will not take part in the exhibition match as he has only recently returned to training under new Xolos manager Sebastián “Loco” Abreu and will instead remain focused on his club duties.

His absence is particularly disappointing considering many supporters were eager to watch one of Mexican soccer’s fastest-rising stars test himself alongside the league’s established veterans against MLS’ top talent.

Another surprising omission is Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican goalkeeper was originally included in Liga MX’s official All-Star roster, but he will also miss the trip to Charlotte. His absence removes one of the biggest international names from Antonio Mohamed’s squad and leaves Liga MX without one of the world’s most decorated goalkeepers.

Club América players missing

Brian Rodríguez has been ruled out after suffering an injury that has kept him from returning to action. The Uruguayan winger had initially been expected to participate but will remain with América as he continues his recovery process.

Alejandro Zendejas is another player who won’t be making the trip. The United States international underwent knee surgery several weeks ago and has yet to return to competitive action after representing his country at the 2026 World Cup. As a result, he has already missed the opening rounds of the Liga MX Apertura 2026 season and will not be available for the All-Star festivities either.

Those absences leave Liga MX manager Antonio Mohamed with the difficult task of reshaping his squad before facing the MLS All-Stars. While the exhibition may not award silverware, both leagues have spent years marketing the event as a battle for regional bragging rights, making every late withdrawal another headache for the coaching staff.

Chivas keeps five players at home

Guadalajara will also have a much smaller presence than originally expected.

Rather than sending every selected player to the All-Star Game, Chivas opted to prioritize its Liga MX campaign and convinced league officials to allow several footballers to remain with the club ahead of Friday’s league match against Puebla at Estadio Cuauhtémoc.

The decision means Armando “Hormiga” González, Brian Gutiérrez, Santiago Sandoval, Bryan González and Richy Ledezma will all stay in Guadalajara instead of traveling to Charlotte.

The club’s reasoning is straightforward. With an important league fixture arriving just two days after the All-Star Game, Chivas preferred to keep those players training throughout the week rather than sending them to the United States and asking them to immediately return for domestic competition.

The schedule leaves little room for recovery, travel and preparation, making the club’s decision understandable despite disappointing fans who wanted to see a stronger Liga MX roster.

Only two Guadalajara players will represent the club at the event: Luis Gabriel Rey and Kevin Castañeda.

Of the five players remaining behind, Santiago Sandoval is the only one who also won’t be available for Chivas’ league match. The young midfielder is currently with Mexico’s Under-20 national team, which is competing for qualification to both the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Messi also skips the showcase

Liga MX is not the only side arriving with missing stars.

Lionel Messi will once again be absent from the MLS All-Star Game after concluding his participation with Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Inter Miami captain is currently enjoying a scheduled period of rest before returning to club competition.

His teammate Rodrigo De Paul is in the same situation and will also skip the event, leaving MLS without two of its biggest attractions.

For a game designed to celebrate the league’s brightest talent, the growing injury list and scheduling conflicts have inevitably taken some shine away from this year’s edition. Still, organizers will hope the remaining stars can provide enough entertainment to keep the rivalry between MLS and Liga MX alive.