Messi is at risk of ban if he reaches the World Cup final

Captain Lionel Messi took Argentina to the quarter-finals with a great performance in the World Cup. However, along with the fight on the field, his club career has been discussed anew. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could face another one-match ban from Major League Soccer (MLS) if Argentina reach the 2026 World Cup final.

The World Cup final is scheduled to be held on July 19. Just 10 days later, on July 29, the 2026 MLS All-Star Match will take place. Messi has been selected in this match organized at the Bank of America Stadium located in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. However, if Argentina plays in the final, he may decide not to play in the All-Star match due to physical and mental exhaustion after a long and tough tournament.

That decision itself could pose a risk for him again. According to MLS rules, if a player misses an All-Star game without a valid or approved medical reason, he is automatically banned for one game from the next league game. As a result, Messi is likely to face punishment according to the rules if he does not play in the All-Star match.

In the face of such a situation, however, the Argentine captain has had to fall before. Messi and his Inter Miami teammate Jordi Alba missed the All-Star game last season due to fatigue. MLS authorities later banned both of them for one league match each. There was a lot of discussion about that decision.

However, this time the situation may be slightly different. Because, after playing the final of the World Cup, the need for rest will naturally be much higher. Therefore, instead of taking a strict stance like last time, the MLS authorities can take a decision with special considerations, and there is a discussion in various media. However, the league authorities have not given any official position on this matter so far.

His new Inter Miami team-mate Rodrigo de Paul got a place alongside Messi in this year's All-Star team. German star Thomas Muller and South Korean captain Son Heung-min are also expected to participate in the match. The MLS All-Star XI will face Mexico's Liga MX All-Star team.

On the other hand, Argentina now faces the challenge of the quarter-finals in the World Cup. Their opponents in the last eight are Switzerland. If they win this match, the dream of reaching the final of the World Cup for the second time in a row will go one step further for the current world champions. Messi, who has been in great form throughout the tournament, has already scored 8 goals and has become the mainstay of the team's attack.

However, besides the success of the World Cup, the discussion has already started about his presence in club football. The question of whether Argentina will prioritize rest if it reaches the final, or will play in the MLS All-Star match, will be answered after the final round of the World Cup.