'A lot of disappointed fans': Lionel Messi will not play against Vancouver Whitecaps Saturday
When a record-breaking crowd fills BC Place on Saturday they won't be seeing superstar Lionel Messi play, according to a statement from the Vancouver Whitecaps.
More than 50,000 tickets have already been sold for the match against Inter Miami CF – which the Whitecaps say represents a club record for the MLS era.
Whitecaps CEO Axel Schuster said he has been told that Messi, along with fellow former FC Barcelona stars Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets, won’t be travelling to Vancouver.
"Unfortunately, we have no control over who plays for our opponent, and it was important for us to communicate to our fans as soon as possible,“ a Thursday statement from Shuchster said.
"We know that there will also be a lot of disappointed fans. We remain committed to making this a special experience for everyone. It is still going to be an incredible atmosphere and celebration of soccer for our city."
The team says kids under 18 will be given a free meal combo and that all concessions will be 50 per cent off. It was not clear from the statement if these promotions are linked to the news that Messi will not be in attendance.
The 36-year-old Messi joined Inter Miami last summer, six months after leading Argentina to its third World Cup title and first since 1986. He is regarded by many as one of the greatest soccer players of all time.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Ian Holliday
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6928776.1718538488!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Police identify Michigan splash pad shooter but there's still no word on a motive
Authorities on Sunday identified the man who opened fire at a splash pad in suburban Detroit before taking his own life, but his motives remained unknown as investigators worked to determine if he left behind any hint of his plans.
Ottawa Food Bank receives largest donation in its 40-year history
210,000 pounds of food was delivered to the Ottawa Food Bank on Saturday, the largest donation in its 40-year history.
No injuries reported after camper engulfed in flames in parking garage: Regina fire
A fire in an underground parking facility in Regina led to no injuries, according to the city's fire department.
80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace
Eighty countries jointly called Sunday for the 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to end Russia’s war, though some key developing nations at a Swiss conference did not join in.
'We’re in pretty good shape’: Calgary goes low in water consumption after state of local emergency declared
On a day that a local state of emergency was declared in Calgary, city residents answered a request from the mayor and emergency officials to use less water.
'A father’s love counts for a lot': Reflecting on dad’s influence this Father's Day
A Halifax-based psychologist says a quality relationship with their father is ‘very valuable’ for a child’s psychological health and development.
Halifax chef speaks about traumatic brain injury
Halifax chef Lauren Marshall was working in the Bahamas on a special event in February when she fainted and fell from a golf cart, hitting the back of her head.
Global study ranks two Canadian cities high on list of most expensive places to buy a home
As Canadians continue to struggle with the extremely high cost of buying a home in some of the country’s major urban centres, a new global report is underscoring just how expensive some of those markets are.
Foreign Affairs Minister insists there are no ‘traitors’ in Liberal caucus
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly insists there are no "traitors" in the Liberal caucus, after a report from the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP) alleged there are MPs and senators who are “semi-witting or witting participants” in foreign interference efforts.