Messi, Ramos face off again at MLS All-Star clash

Messi was with Barcelona and Ramos with Real Madrid in El Clásico. The Argentine and Spaniard later shared a dressing room at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023.

This time, they’ll be on opposite sides once again: Messi, now with Inter Miami, will represent MLS, while Ramos, playing for Monterrey, joins the Liga MX squad.

The event at Austin’s Q2 Stadium includes a skills challenge on Tuesday, followed by the main All-Star match on Wednesday.

Much of the spotlight will fall on Messi, who is in a dazzling form, scoring 12 goals in his last seven league matches, including six braces.

He leads the MLS scoring charts with 18 goals in 18 games, tied with Nashville’s Sam Surridge.The MLS All-Star roster also features notable names like Mexico’s Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano (San Diego), Uruguay’s Diego Rossi (Columbus Crew), Brazil’s Evander (FC Cincinnati), and Spain’s Jordi Alba (Inter Miami).

On the Liga MX side, Ramos is joined by top players including Colombia’s James Rodríguez (León), Mexico’s Alexis Vega (Toluca), and Spain’s Sergio Canales (Monterrey).

Club América coach André Jardine will lead the Liga MX team, while Austin FC’s Nico Estévez will manage the MLS side.

Last year, Liga MX defeated MLS 4-1 in the All-Star matchup.

This year’s MLS All-Star Game comes just a week before the start of the third edition of the Leagues Cup on July 29, which will once again see all 18 Liga MX clubs face off against 18 MLS teams. EFE

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