Chicago Fire FC centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi has been named in the Major League Soccer All-Star starting XI, earning a place alongside global icons Lionel Messi and Son Heung-min and writing a new chapter for South African football in North America.

Mbokazi becomes only the second South African ever selected for an MLS All-Star roster, following Doctor Khumalo’s appearance in the league’s inaugural showcase in 1996. Unlike Khumalo, who came off the bench, Mbokazi is set to start, making him the first player from his country to walk out in the All-Star starting lineup.

The Chicago defender’s rise has been rapid and emphatic. In his debut MLS campaign, he has anchored a Fire back line that has pushed the club into the upper reaches of the Eastern Conference, starting 12 of 14 league matches and quickly becoming indispensable. His blend of physical dominance, aerial strength and calm distribution has drawn praise from coaches and pundits across the league.

Supporters have responded just as strongly. Mbokazi received more fan votes than any other player in the All-Star pool, a reflection of both his on-field impact and his soaring popularity. Reports in the United States noted that Chicago Fire’s social media following jumped by around 180,000 within 48 hours of his signing being announced, underlining his status as a genuine box-office attraction.

That surge in interest was amplified by his performances for South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nicknamed TLB – Tractor Loader Backhoe – for his relentless work rate and power, Mbokazi delivered a standout display in a group-stage clash against Egypt, where he helped contain a side led by Mohamed Salah and further enhanced his international reputation.

In the All-Star game in Charlotte, Mbokazi is expected to line up at centre-back alongside Charlotte FC veteran Tim Ream, shielding goalkeeper Brian Schwake of Nashville SC. Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter will sit in front of them, while creative threats Zavier Gozo and Hany Mukhtar supply service to a star-studded front three of Chicago’s Hugo Cuypers, LAFC’s Son Heung-min and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.

For Mbokazi, the occasion is both a personal milestone and a symbolic breakthrough, placing a South African defender at the heart of one of MLS’s most glamorous lineups.