Lionel Messi is in Vancouver and in the starting lineup for one of the biggest matches in Inter Miami’s history.
Inter Miami will play against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal series Thursday night.
Simply put, this is the first of three matches in the path of Messi and Inter Miami hoisting another trophy.
Still, there was still some pregame discourse surrounding whether Messi will play – which Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not address directly during a pre-match news conference, one day earlier.
With goals scored on the road counting as double in any tie-breaking scenario in the Champions Cup, there’s even more incentive for Messi to play.
“This is a very important game for us, one of the most important in the history of the club. We’re ready. I don’t talk about who’s available before the match,” Mascherano said.
Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets didn’t make the trip last year from South Florida to Vancouver — the longest flight in Major League Soccer — for a regular-season match last May. All three traveled with more is at stake in tonight’s match.
Vancouver misses early opportunity: Inter Miami 0, Vancouver 0
A Vancouver shot by Daniel Ríos, assisted by Brian White, was saved by Inter Miami defender Marcelo Weigandt in the 8th minute. It was an early chance for Vancouver to make some noise at home, while testing Inter Miami’s defense.
Messi arrives for Champions Cup match in Vancouver
What time does Vancouver vs. Inter Miami match begin?
Tonight’s match begins at 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT, 11:30 p.m. in Argentina).
Is Messi playing tonight in Vancouver?
Yes, Messi has been announced as a starter in the Inter Miami starting lineup.
How to watch Vancouver vs. Inter Miami match?
The match is available on FS1 in English; TUDN and ViX in Spanish in the United States. Here are other ways to watch it globally:
Vancouver vs. Inter Miami prediction
Inter Miami 2, Vancouver 0: Messi will score two goals in Vancouver tonight, while Inter Miami’s defense slows down Vancouver’s red-hot attack. Vancouver is second in MLS with 17 goals and tied for first with Inter Miami, conceding just six goals during the 2025 regular season. However, Vancouver scored nine times and conceded eight goals during their Champions Cup run. Inter Miami outscored their Champions Cup opponents 11-3. –Safid Deen
Messi practices in Vancouver before match
Messi practiced with Inter Miami on Wednesday night after arriving in Vancouver. His practice participation is a good indication he’ll play on Thursday night.
When is Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Champions Cup second leg?
Inter Miami will host Vancouver on April 30 in the second leg of their semifinal.
When is the Concacaf Champions Cup final?
The Champions Cup tournament final is June 1. Both finalists will compete in a single match for the championship.
Tigres UANL and Cruz Azul play to draw in other Champions Cup semifinal
Juan Jose Sanchez Purata scored in the 84th minute to help Tigres UANL salvage a draw at home against Cruz Azul on Wednesday night.
Carlos Rotondi scored in the 68th minute for Cruz Azul, which hosts the second leg on May 1.
Messi, inter Miami upcoming schedule
April 27: Inter Miami vs. FC Dallas, 5 p.m. ET (MLS Regular Season)
April 30: Inter Miami vs. Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET (Concacaf Champions Cup)
May 3: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS Regular Season)
May 10: Minnesota vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET (MLS Regular Season)
May 14: San Jose vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET (MLS Regular Season)