Are things about to get… Messi? That’s something that everyone, including the Vancouver Whitecaps, wants to know. Lionel Messi’s club team, Inter Miami CF, is scheduled to play at BC Place on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in a semi-final match in the Concacaf Champions Cup. The winner of this tournament will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup, and that’s a big deal. However, despite the excitement surrounding the match, there remains uncertainty about whether the 37-year-old Argentinian soccer legend will actually take the field.
The Whitecaps, currently sitting first in the overall MLS standings, have been the surprise of the season so far. They’ve reached the Champions’ semi-finals for just the second time in team history, with the first being in 2017. But even with their impressive form, the question still lingers: will Messi play?
Messi has played the full 90 minutes in each of his last five matches over a span of just 18 days. Fans were alarmed when he was seen walking off the pitch with a limp following Saturday’s match in Columbus. However, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano downplayed the incident, stating, “As far as I know, nothing happened. He came off fine,” according to Amanda Langell of Sports Illustrated. Mascherano added that he would consult with the medical staff but had received no concerning updates.
On Monday, April 21, Inter Miami CF posted photos from training that included an image of Messi, and another post on Tuesday seemed to indicate his involvement in preparations. This has given fans a glimmer of hope, as they eagerly await further updates. The team is scheduled to train in Vancouver on Wednesday night, and Whitecaps CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster expressed the challenges of preparing for a match without knowing Messi's status. “I hope everybody understands there’s only so much that we can do to find out,” Schuster said. “Inter Miami will not share with us anything to give us any advantage for that game because the game of Miami is obviously very different if he shows up and plays or not.”
Ticket prices for the match are currently cheaper than last year, but that could change if Messi's status is confirmed. As of Tuesday afternoon, the lowest-priced ticket was $68.25 on Ticketmaster, and over 54,000 fans are expected to attend, making it a season-high for the Whitecaps.
Reflecting on the significance of the match, Vancouver midfielder Ali Ahmed noted, “It’s very special, especially with the way we’ve done it, and the way our season has been going so far. We’re in a semifinals playing against one of the best players to ever play the game. We’ve got a home match in front of 55,000 people, semifinals, a chance to go to the finals. We’re all extremely, extremely excited.”
Former Canadian international Scott Arfield echoed Ahmed’s sentiments, praising Messi’s enduring skill. “His acceleration is just a joke. I can only imagine how tough it would have been 10 years ago,” Arfield remarked. “As for Sergio Busquets, he must have four eyes. He sees everything. It was so difficult to play against them, never mind in 50-degree (F) heat.”
B.C. Place is expected to be close to a sellout, with limited availability remaining as the match approaches. Last year’s regular-season game against Miami saw 51,035 fans in attendance, where Messi did not play, causing disappointment among fans. This time, the stakes are higher, and excitement is palpable.
The Whitecaps are not just riding a wave of fan enthusiasm; they are also enjoying a remarkable season under first-year head coach Jesper Sørensen. The team has defied expectations, topping both the Supporters’ Shield and Western Conference standings with a 6W-1L-2D record (20 points) in league play. Sørensen acknowledged the challenges of taking over a team mid-season but expressed pride in how the players have risen to the occasion. “I’m amazed about the players’ performances because I think it is not normal,” he said. “It’s a great physical, mental effort to be able to come up with a comeback.”
As the Whitecaps prepare for their match against Inter Miami, they are well aware of the legacy that precedes them. On June 30, 1977, Pelé played against the Whitecaps, captivating a crowd of 30,277 fans at Empire Stadium. The Whitecaps won that match 5-3, but Pelé’s presence signified a momentous occasion in soccer history. Now, they face another legendary figure in Messi, who is also 37 years old.
“It’s special that he is playing for Miami and we’re playing Miami,” Sørensen noted. “But on the other side, it’s not Vancouver against Messi, it’s Vancouver against Miami. And we’re not here to celebrate Messi. We’re here to do whatever we can to see if we can move on.”
Amid the excitement, the club is also navigating a potential sale, with ongoing discussions about a new, soccer-specific stadium at the Pacific National Exhibition Fairgrounds. Sporting director Axel Schuster emphasized the commitment to keeping the club in Vancouver, stating, “Our ownership hasn't given up on this. They are not rushing out.”
With the match just days away, fans are left to wonder whether they will witness Messi’s magic on the pitch. Regardless of his participation, the matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for a coveted spot in the finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
As the countdown to the match continues, anticipation builds among fans, players, and the entire soccer community. Will Messi take the field, or will the Whitecaps continue their Cinderella story without him? Only time will tell as the excitement reaches a fever pitch ahead of this historic clash.
