Hey there! The dog days of summer are well and truly here, marked as usual by European clubs continuing their overseas preseason tours and MLS shifting focus to Leagues Cup. I'm Pardeep Cattry with the latest as a new batch of games steals our attention in the middle of the week.

Lionel Messi was absent in the MLS All-Star Game, and Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano delivered an update on the legend's status. Lionel Messi’s last-minute absence from the MLS All-Star Game on Wednesday raised questions about whether the Inter Miami star was dealing with an injury or had simply opted out.