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 assembled the values of each player nominated to the initial teams, according to TransferMarkt and Liga MX edge MLS. However, the values could shift before the match on July 23, as Patrick Agyemang looks to be leaving Charlotte FC for Derby County, and Brandon Vázquez picked up an injury, which will hold him out of the showcase.

Check out the breakdowns below, with information provided by TransferMarkt and converted to U.S. dollars.

MLS All Stars Combined Value: $150.5 million

  • MLS Highest Valued Player: Lionel Messi – $21.04 million
  • MLS Least Valued Player: Michael Boxall – $180,000
MLS All-Star - Lionel Messi
Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi is the most valuable player in MLS according to TransferMarkt. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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
Sergio Ramos
Despite his legendary status, Sergio Ramos is the least valuable player on the Liga MX All-Star roster according to Transfermarkt. | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLS vs. Liga MX: Which MLS All-Star Game Roster is More Valuable?.

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