Lionel Messi selected for MLS All Star line up next month

On 29 July, the MLS squad, which includes at least five World Cup participants, will take on an all star team from the Mexican league.

The MLS First XI was selected through a combined vote by players, supporters and the media. It features five players who are on World Cup squads: Messi, South Korean Son Heung Min from Los Angeles FC, Americans Tim Ream of Charlotte and Sebastian Berhalter of Vancouver, and South African Mbekezeli Mbokazi of Chicago.

Among the first group of MLS All Stars are goalkeeper Brian Schwake from Nashville, defenders Anthony Markanich from Minnesota United and Honduran Andy Najar from Nashville, midfielders Zavier Gozo from Real Salt Lake and German Hany Mukhtar from Nashville, and Belgian forward Hugo Cuypers from Chicago.

Mbokazi is only the second South African to be chosen for an MLS All Star team, following Doctor Khumalo in 1996. Meanwhile, Son is the second South Korean to be named an MLS All Star, after national team coach and former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Hong Myungbo in 2003.

The final MLS lineup will also feature 13 players selected by Dean Smith, MLS All Star coach from the host city Charlotte, and two players chosen by MLS commissioner Don Garber.