Why are Messi and Suárez not in the MLS All Star Skills Challenge’?

Cucho Hernández and the MLS MVP, Luciano Acosta, lead the list of participants in the MLS All Star Skills Challenge.

Luis Guillermo Vázquezluis_lgazulUpdate: Jul 15th, 2024 14:53 EDT0

CHRIS ARJOONAFP

Leo Messi and Luis Suárez lead the list of those called up from MLS to face the Liga MX in the All-Star game, but neither of them are among the players who will compete in the All Star Skills Challenge on Tuesday, July 23 in Columbus.

This Monday, the names set to feature in the skills contest were announced, and the absence of the two Inter Miami players had many fans scratching their eyes. However, their participation in the Copa América explains their absence.

Who's ready for the ultimate skills battle? 👀🎟️ Join us at the #MLSAllStar Skills Challenge for an epic display of talent: https://t.co/3WokkCD1cv pic.twitter.com/iSppwOZKvC

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 15, 2024

Messi suffered an injury during the final of the continental tournament, which saw Argentina beat Colombia 1-0 thanks to Lautaro Martínez’s late goal. The match, which went to extra-time, came just one week before the All-Star fun gets underway.

As for who will participate in the skills challenges, Riqui Puig, Luciano Acosta and Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernández lead the list of players who fans are most excited to see.

Other players who will be present will be Roman Burki (St. Louis City SC), Federico Bernarseschi (Toronto FC), Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets (Inter Miami), Evander (Portland Timbers), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), and Maarten Paes (FC Dallas) all complete the list.

Of the participants in this year’s edition, three have previously participated in the Skills Challenge before: Riqui Puig, Roman Burki and Luciano Acosta.

Who will play for Liga MX in the MLS All-Star?

On the Liga MX side, Salomón Rondón, Andrés Guardado, Jonathan Dos Santos, Roberto Alvarado, Juan Bruneta, Sergio Canales, César Huerta, Gonzalo Piovi, as well as goalkeepers Kevin Mier and Luis Malagón make up the star-studded squad.

In 2021, Liga MX beat MLS thanks to the tiebreaker from Uruguayan Jonathan Rodríguez, who is now a player for the Portland Timbers.

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The MLS All-Star game is a huge event in the US soccer calendar.MLS