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MLS vs. Liga MX: Which MLS All-Star Game Roster is More Valuable?
If there’s anything in American soccer that signifies the depths of summertime, it’s the MLS All-Star Game.
Despite other first divisions across the world not having an All-Star showcase, the marquee event holds a special place in the MLS calendar, bringing many of the best players in the league together to showcase themselves in a match as well as a skills competition.
While past eras of the MLS All-Star Game featured friendly matches against highly-touted European competition, as well as inter-league matchups, the 2025 edition continued with the best of MLS taking on the best of Mexico’s Liga MX.
Both rosters feature some world-class talent, but came to be in many different ways. For MLS, the All-Star roster came together through a mix of fan and media votes, as well as picks from commissioner Don Garber and host coach, Austin FC's Nico Estévez.
Meanwhile, the Liga MX roster is a mix of the nominees and award winners from the most recent Liga MX season, as well as several picks from Club América head coach Andre Jardine, who takes the reins for the second season.
But, how does each roster stack up in value? Closer than you may think.
Sports Illustrated compiled the values of each player nominated to the initial teams, according to TransferMarkt, with MLS edging Liga MX in value and players involved. However, the values shifted after the initial release of the roster, with Patrick Agyemang leaving Charlotte FC for Derby County and Brandon Vazquez sustaining an injury, which will keep him out of the showcase. Additionally, Cristian Espinoza, Carles Gil, Hany Mukhtar, Obed Vargas, Sam Surridge and Marco Pašalić were added as final additions.
Check out the breakdowns below, with information provided by TransferMarkt and converted to U.S. dollars.
MLS All Stars Combined Value: $171.39 million
- MLS Highest Valued Player: Lionel Messi – $21.04 million
- MLS Least Valued Player: Michael Boxall – $180,000
Player | Value (USD) | Club |
|---|---|---|
GK: Dayne St. Clair | $3.27m | Minnesota United |
GK: Brad Stuver | $700k | Austin FC |
GK: Yohei Takaoka | $3.51m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
D: Jordi Alba | $1.75m | Inter Miami CF |
D: Max Arfsten | $2.92m | Columbus Crew SC |
D: Tristan Blackmon | $3.27m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
D: Michael Boxall | $180k | Minnesota United |
D: Alex Freeman | $1.17m | Orlando City SC |
D: Jakob Glesnes | $4.09m | Philadelphia Union |
D: Andy Najar | $470k | Nashville SC |
D: Miles Robinson | $4.09m | FC Cincinnati |
M: Sebastian Berhalter | $2.34m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
M: David Da Costa | $7.01m | Portland Timbers |
M: Evander | $16.7m | FC Cincinnati |
M: Diego Luna | $9.35m | Real Salt Lake |
M: Jeppe Tverskov | $700k | San Diego FC |
M: Philip Zinckernagel | $2.34m | Chicago Fire |
M: Cristian Espinoza | $5.8m | San Jose Earthquakes |
M: Carles Gil | $2.91m | New England Revolution |
M: Hany Mukhtar | $6.98m | Nashville SC |
M: Obed Vargas | $6.98m | Seattle Sounders FC |
F: Tai Baribo | $5.85m | Philadelphia Union |
F: Denis Bouanga | $9.35m | LAFC |
F: Anders Dreyer | $10.52m | San Diego FC |
F: Chucky Lozano | $10.69m | San Diego FC |
F: Lionel Messi | $21.04m | Inter Miami CF |
F: Diego Rossi | $9.94m | Columbus Crew SC |
F: Brian White | $5.85m | Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
F: Sam Surridge | $5.81m | Nashville SC |
F: Marco Pasalic | $5.81m | Orlando City SC |
Liga MX All Stars Combined Value: $167.58 million
- Liga MX Highest Valued Player: Alexis Vega – $11.69 million
- Liga MX Least Valued Player: Sergio Ramos – $1.40 million
Player | Value (USD) | Club |
|---|---|---|
GK: Luis Malagón | $9.35m | Club América |
GK: Kevin Mier | $8.18m | Cruz Azul |
D: Sebastián Cáceres | $5.85m | Club América |
D: Willer Ditta | $5.85m | Cruz Azul |
D: Luan García | $1.75m | Toluca |
D: Jesús Gallardo | $4.09m | Toluca |
D: Joaquim Pereira | $7.01m | Tigres |
D: Sergio Ramos | $1.40m | Monterrey |
D: Israel Reyes | $4.69m | Club América |
D: Ignacio Rivero | $2.34m | Cruz Azul |
D: Carlos Rotondi | $5.26m | Cruz Azul |
M: Roberto Alvarado | $7.60m | Chivas Guadalajara |
M: Juan Brunetta | $7.60m | Tigres |
M: Sergio Canales | $7.01m | Monterrey |
M: Rodrigo Dourado | $4.09m | Atlético de San Luis |
M: Érik Lira | $9.35m | Cruz Azul |
M: Elías Montiel | $5.85m | Pachuca |
M: Gilberto Mora | $3.50m | Tijuana |
M: James Rodríguez | $2.92m | Club Léon |
M: Marcel Ruíz | $8.77m | Toluca |
M: Agustín Palavecino | $4.68m | Necaxa |
M: Alejandro Zendejas | $9.36m | Club América |
F: Diber Cambindo | $7.60m | Necaxa |
F: Hugo Camberos | $2.50m | Chivas Guadalajara |
F: Henry Martín | $3.51m | Club América |
F: Paulinho | $8.77m | Toluca |
F: Brian Rodríguez | $7.01m | Club América |
F: Alexis Vega | $11.69m | Toluca |
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Ben Steiner is an American-Canadian journalist who brings in-depth experience, having covered the North American national teams, MLS, CPL, NWSL, NSL and Liga MX for prominent outlets, including MLSsoccer.com, CBC Sports, and OneSoccer.