Not everyone can boast about playing with both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It’s like plying your trade for the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Well, Toronto star Federico Bernardeschi will have the golden opportunity to tick off his bingo book as he takes to the field for MLS All-Stars later in July. The Italian played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo during his peak years at Juventus but made the big-money move to Toronto FC in the summer of 2022.

The Italian has been Toronto FC’s top scorer this season and his performance has been awarded with the player being selected for the MLS All-Stars team against Liga MX All-Stars. Bernardeschi commented on being selected for the All-Stars game and playing alongside Lionel Messi in an interview with CBS Sports.

When asked who he was most keen on playing alongside the Italian stated, “There is a little one from Argentina. Playing with Messi would be unbelievable. I never played with him. I played against him a few times and I always lost. When I was selected, I thought I have a chance to play with Messi and I played with Cristiano. I don’t know how many players around the world played with the two best players in history.”

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has been on a roll with his national team. The Inter Miami superstar is on international duty as Argentina looks to defend their Copa America crown. Messi and his men have made a strong start to the competition with the Albiceleste winning all their group games heading into the quarterfinals.

Will Lionel Messi be back in time for the clash against Ecuador?

There has been a lot of speculation over La Pulga’s availability for Argentina’s quarterfinals clash. The Argentine skipper picked up a knock in the team’s 2nd game and was absent from his side’s 2-0 win over Peru. Reports claim Lionel Messi is struggling from his injury, and head coach Lionel Scaloni would opt against fielding the player in the starting eleven. However, this is unlikely to stop the defending champions with Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, leading the charge from the front.

While fans would be keen to see Messi take to the field, it’s highly unlikely we will see La Pulga take to the field unless his team needs the Argentine to bail them out of a tough situation.

The team wants their talisman to be fit for the tougher road ahead, and it wouldn’t make sense to risk his health against someone of Ecuador’s caliber. Do you think Lionel Messi will take to the field against Ecuador? Sound off in the comments below.