The MLS All-Star break has always been known for being experimental and ever-changing. They stray away from the typical East vs West game and typically play teams from Europe while they are on their American summer tour.
This year is the fourth rendition with MLS vs Liga MX All Stars in Austin, Texas. Unlike other all-star games from North American leagues, key picks and storylines from the MLS season carry over into the All-Star game, making it more interesting than ever.
MLS vs Liga MX All-Star Game: Key things to watch for
European Legends meet in Austin
It’s no secret that the MLS attracts old superstars from Europe during the twilight years of their careers. Liga MX doesn’t have the reputation of being a retirement league like MLS has been called, they do have a few legends that are on the back end of their career on the Liga MX all-star team.
Sergio Ramos, Sergio Canales, and James Rodriguez are former Real Madrid players who will be representing Liga MX.
Sergio Ramos is the big name that stands out on the Liga MX side. He is viewed as one of the best defenders ever as his reputation he created at Real Madrid is known across the continent. Ramos is 39 years old and reaching the end of his historic career. Seeing him face off one last time against the former FC Barcelona players that are representing the MLS.
The brilliant Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, who were teammates at Barcelona and currently on Inter Miami, will hopefully be sharing the field once again. Two legends at their positions and two of the biggest names in the game are on the side of the MLS. However, recent news has broken that Messi, or potentially he and Alba, could choose to skip the contest. If so, each would face sanctions, fines, suspensions, or a combination of all three.
Messi is still building off of his momentum from his five straight games with multiple goals, while Alba scored before Saturday in the last game before the break.
Seeing all these Spanish legends of the game face off on opposite sides of the field for the last time is what makes this star game more than what its title says.
Young Stars Face off on a Big Stage
As just mentioned, both teams have veterans on representing them; they also both have young up-and-comers who have shone for club and country early in their careers.
Gilberto Mora is the youngest player on either side of the star game at just 16 years old. Despite not having major stats this year, he is a promising young talent who has already represented his nation and won hardware in the process. He might have the least amount of stats compared to the young stars on the MLS side, who have a little bit more on their stat sheets.
Diego Luna has had a quick rise since being in the USL, from becoming a star for Real Salt Lake to making critical plays for his nation in the Gold Cup. Luna is an exciting player on the rise for club and country who has received transfer interest from European clubs.
Luna is a player to look out for in this game, as he could be a dark horse contributor for the MLS thanks to their roster of former European legends.
These two are the biggest standouts when considering their youth and high level talent that they have displayed early in their careers. One of these two up-and-comers could stand out in Austin if given the chance.
A Short but Rich History that Continues to Grow
These two leagues are intertwined thanks to the Leagues Cup that started two seasons ago that sees clubs from both leagues face off to determine the best of the two leagues. That might be a good measuring stick to determine what league is better when it comes to clubs and team building. When it comes to who has the best talent overall there is no better way than having an all star team face head to head with each league’s best players.
This MLS vs Liga MX series started in 2021 in Los Angeles when the MLS All-Stars defeated Liga MX All-Stars in penalties 3-2.
They met the following year, where the MLS found themselves on top once again, winning 2-1.
After a year off from this series, they met again in 2024 in Columbus as Liga MX obtained their first win in this ever-growing series with a convincing result of 4-1.
It may not have the richest history compared to other events and competitions between the two leagues. It is enough to create a dialogue on how this match is good for both leagues. Displaying the quality between the two leagues that is overshadowed by bigger leagues in the world, is crucial.
As long as this competition remains, it has the chance to grow both leagues and obtain a bigger audience across the globe, with MLS vs Liga MX front and center today.