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Vancouver Whitecaps to play Messi’s team again; But will he play?

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Lionel Messi disembarks a plane.

The wait is over — Lionel Messi has officially landed in Vancouver.

The global soccer icon touched down at YVR on Wednesday, drawing a small but passionate crowd of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the GOAT before Thursday night’s CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final between the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Inter Miami FC at BC Place.

Now, the burning question on the minds of soccer fans and those with tickets: will Messi actually play?

There’s been no official confirmation he won’t — lineups usually aren’t until an hour before kickoff — but Aziz Rajwani, a lecturer at Langara School of Management with a background in sports management, believes there’s a good chance Messi will take the field.

“I would argue that he will play,” Rajwani told 1130 NewsRadio.

“This is a very consequential game, because if [Messi’s club, Inter Miami FC, wins], then they have an opportunity to play at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which gives them an opportunity to increase their revenue stream and increase their value.”

That’s incentive enough, says Rajwani. Not only for the club, but for Messi himself, as any boost in revenue or the club’s valuation benefits him personally due to his part-ownership of Inter Miami.

But the stakes are just as high for the Whitecaps, Rajwani says, calling it “the most consequential game in their MLS history.”

“It’s also fortuitous for the Whitecaps’ owners, who are likely rubbing their hands in glee, as the team is currently on the market about to be sold. And, if the Whitecaps advance over the two legs, it could significantly boost both the team’s value and brand value.”

Messi’s presence alone has sent anticipation and the price of tickets skyrocketing.

More than 54,000 fans are expected to pack BC Place, with seats sold out and resale prices climbing into the hundreds of dollars.

It’s a rematch of sorts, as Messi was expected to play in Vancouver last year but didn’t show up, leaving some fans disappointed.

This time, hopes are higher.

“It’s a much more consequential game than the game where Messi was supposed to play and didn’t, where more than 50,000 tickets were sold, but less than 50,000 actually showed up at the stadium,” said Rajwani.

“Tomorrow night, I expect more than 50,000 will be sold and more than 50,000 will actually be present at the game to watch arguably the greatest-of-all-time, Lionel Messi, play.”