Lionel Messi will not play tomorrow morning in the Inter Miami vs Vancouver Whitecaps match. Coach Gerardo Martino said the reason is because Miami’s schedule is very dense.

“We thought the best thing for them was not to play this game,” Martino said. They practiced but will not be present. Obviously, we understand the frustration of those who want to see these players play. But as a coach sometimes I have to make very difficult decisions. I always have to put the health of the players first.”

After this match, Messi and his teammates had to play 2 more matches in just 1 week, and Inter Miami spent up to 6 hours flying back and forth between the United States and Canada to participate in the confrontation with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Messi has scored 10 goals and given 12 assists since the start of the season

For this reason, coach Martino decided not to count on veterans like Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets. Inter Miami will be greatly weakened by losing Messi, who scored 10 goals and assisted 12 goals in 15 games this season, with an average of 1.5 goals per game.

The departure of Inter Miami is generating a wave of anger among Vancouver fans. The match is expected to have more than 50,000 spectators, a record audience in the history of the Vancouver Whitecaps Club. Many people lost up to $10,000 worth of banknotes on the black market, which is equivalent to more than 240 million VND.

The match organizers were forced to reassure fans by offering discounts, free food and a 50% discount on drinks. Ticket buyers also receive promotions to attend many other side events. The match takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time, but there will be 2 hours before the match to participate in contests, meals, etc. All with the purpose of appeasing fans who are disappointed at not being able to see the Argentine idol.