Will Messi actually play tonight? Here's what his coach said before Vancouver match
Vancouver is abuzz as Lionel Messi has touched down in the city.
The Concacaf Champions Cup game between Inter Miami CF and the Vancouver Whitecaps is sold out. More than 53,000 fans are expected at BC Place, which would be a new record for the largest MLS-era attendance in Whitecaps history.
But just because Messi made the trip to Vancouver, that doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to play.
If he doesn’t see the field at all, fans will surely be disappointed. They’ve been going to extreme lengths just to see Messi practice in Vancouver. However, Miami manager Javier Mascherano is not giving up his game plan in advance.
“It’s a very important game for us, maybe one of the most important games for the history of the club,” said Mascherano yesterday when asked how much Messi would play. “So we are ready and we are waiting for this game. I don’t like to talk before the game about who is available and who [isn’t], so tomorrow you will see, tomorrow you will see.”
While Mascherano wouldn’t confirm the plan for Messi, his answer provides some reason for optimism. It’s clear Miami is taking this game very seriously and wants to advance to the final very badly. That means they’ll likely play their best lineup, which includes Messi.
Mascherano has used Messi extensively during the Concacaf Champions Cup thus far, and there’s no reason to believe that would change now. Messi played both legs of Miami’s Round of 16 matchup against Sporting Kansas City, scoring in both games. He’s got five goals in this competition, good for second amongst all players.
Only one MLS team has ever won the Concacaf Champions Cup. Miami won the Supporters’ Shield last year for finishing first in MLS competition. They’ve checked that trophy off the list, but have yet to win the Concacaf Champions Cup.
“Miami has said right from the beginning of the season that the most important competition for them, for the first half of the year, is the Concacaf Champions Cup. They want to win this,” explained Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster last week on Sportsnet 650’s Halford & Brough show.
Messi infamously skipped last year’s Miami game at BC Place. However, he didn’t even travel to Vancouver for that game, and this year, he’s here and training before the match.
All of this means that while Mascherano isn’t revealing anything, there’s a lot of optimism that Messi will play. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight at BC Place.