Liga MX All-Star roster revealed for 2025 Austin clash

Liga MX All-Star anticipation builds as the league’s brightest talents prepare to face Lionel Messi and the MLS All-Stars on 23 July at Austin’s TQL Stadium. The 30-player roster, stacked with 14 Balón de Oro winners and 14 coach selections, signals Liga MX’s intent to defend the crown it seized with a 4-1 triumph last year.

Liga MX All-Star headline names: Rodríguez, Ramos & Zendejas

High-profile additions dominate the list. Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas has been rewarded for his electric form, while veteran defender Sergio Ramos brings leadership and a trophy-laden résumé. Midfield maestro James Rodríguez, fresh from dazzling at São Paulo, adds flair and long-range firepower. Their presence underscores just how seriously Liga MX treats this evolving North American rivalry.

How the squad was chosen

Fourteen stars earned automatic inclusion by capturing Balón de Oro honors during the 2024-25 domestic season. Another 14 were hand-picked by Liga MX coaching staff for tactical balance. Two commissioner picks remain open, offering a late-season incentive for any breakout performer. The final list must be filed with CONCACAF on 1 July, ensuring ample time for marketing and logistical arrangements.

Projected starting XI

Coach Diego Alonso is expected to line up in a 4-3-3:
• GK: Luis Malagón
• DF: Israel Reyes, Sergio Ramos, César Montes, Jesús Gallardo
• MF: Luis Chávez, Guido Rodríguez, James Rodríguez
• FW: Alejandro Zendejas, Henry Martín, Julián Quiñones

Depth options include Pachuca’s Erick Sánchez and Tigres striker André-Pierre Gignac, whose inclusion would add blockbuster appeal.

Primary focus on winning bragging rights

Liga MX All-Star veterans insist that last summer’s victory was more than an exhibition. Captain Henry Martín labeled it “a statement for our league” and promised an even sharper edge in Austin. MLS, buoyed by Messi’s presence and home-crowd energy, will surely respond in kind, raising the spectacle’s competitive stakes.

Austin set for a football festival

TQL Stadium, typically home to Austin FC, will expand its fan zone, add bilingual entertainment, and showcase regional cuisine. Organizers forecast a sell-out crowd of 25,000, with ticket demand spiking 40 percent after Ramos and Rodríguez were confirmed. Local authorities are bracing for an economic boost estimated at $12 million across hospitality and tourism sectors.

Liga MX All-Star history in the crossover series

Since the joint showcase began in 2021, results are level at two wins apiece. Liga MX All-Star squads tend to lean on technical quality and in-game nous, while MLS prides itself on athleticism and pressing intensity. The 2025 edition feels like a tipping point: whichever league prevails gains narrative momentum ahead of the newly expanded Leagues Cup.

Key tactical battles to watch

1. Ramos vs. Messi: Former Clásico foes rekindle their duel, this time in Texas heat.
2. James vs. Almada: Competing playmakers will dictate tempo through central channels.
3. Zendejas vs. Jones: Wing speed and one-v-one wizardry could decide the match’s early tone.

Broadcast and streaming information

Fans worldwide can follow every kick via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. In Mexico, TelevisaUnivision will simulcast with Spanish commentary, while ESPN Deportes provides bilingual studio analysis. Pre-match programming begins two hours before kickoff, featuring exclusive locker-room access and referee mic-ups.

Commercial implications for Liga MX and MLS

Sponsorship valuations have soared. Kit partner Adidas reports a 35 percent uptick in jersey sales for specially branded Liga MX All-Star shirts. Digital engagement across TikTok and Instagram surpassed 50 million views within 72 hours of the roster reveal, highlighting the crossover’s global resonance.

Liga MX All-Star outlook: confidence tempered by respect

While Liga MX All-Star players exude belief, they remain wary of Messi’s ability to tilt any contest. Goalkeeper Luis Malagón summarized the mood: “We relish the challenge. We know history favors whoever executes under pressure, not whoever talks loudest.” Training camp opens 15 July at the Mexican Football Federation’s high-performance center in Toluca before the squad travels north.

My view

This event has evolved from novelty to bona fide rivalry, and the Liga MX All-Star ensemble assembled for Austin is arguably its strongest yet. If Messi conjures magic, neutrals win. If Ramos marshals a disciplined defense, Liga MX may celebrate again. Either way, the matchup is now must-see summer football.