FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi already has posted his typical gameday Instagram story, previewing Inter Miami’s must-win match against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal at 8 p.m. ET tonight.
Messi fans: Consider it an early sign he’ll play in the highly anticipated match. The Argentine legend never posts before games if he’s not playing.
Messi and Inter Miami face a 2-0 deficit against Vancouver, needing at least two goals to force extra time and at least three goals to win outright – and that’s only if they’re able to hold the surging Whitecaps scoreless at Chase Stadium on Wednesday night.
Can Messi and Inter Miami’s cast of former Barcelona stars (Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and coach Javier Mascherano) pull off an epic comeback or will they flame out of the Champions Cup tournament one match before the June 1 final?
“If there is something that we like, … it is to play with this kind of pressure. In the end, it is what gives you life. It gives the game meaning,” Mascherano said one day before the match.
Here’s everything you need to know, and stay tuned here for live updates brought to you by USA TODAY Sports from tonight’s match:
What time is Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Concacaf Champions Cup match?
The match begins at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. in Vancouver, 9 p.m. in Argentina).
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Concacaf Champions Cup match?
The match is available on FS1 in English, and TUDN/ViX in Spanish.
Is Messi playing tonight?
Messi is likely to play, but his status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup an hour before the match.
Inter Miami vs. Vancouver prediction
Vancouver 2, Inter Miami 2 (Vancouver advances 4-2 on aggregate scoring: Just one goal will deflate Inter Miami’s comeback hopes. Another would make it even more insurmountable. Vancouver leads the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings with 23 points for several reasons, including a league-leading plus-13 goal differential in the regular season. They’re too fast, well-organized and on a roll primed to shock Inter Miami in the semifinal. Messi may lead Inter Miami’s charge, but this will be a deficit too steep to overcome. –Safid Deen.
Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps Champions Cup scoring scenarios
Here’s a breakdown of how many goals Inter Miami and Vancouver need to advance to the Champions Cup final:
Can Messi, Inter Miami reach Concacaf Champions Cup final?
Messi scored two goals and assisted another when he led Inter Miami past Los Angeles FC in the Champions Cup quarterfinals April 9. But Messi has been scoreless in his last four matches.
While Messi rested, Inter Miami settled for a scoreless draw at Chicago April 13; won 1-0 at Columbus April 19; lost 2-0 in Vancouver during the first leg April 24; and fell 4-3 to FC Dallas at home April 27.
Inter Miami is in contention for five possible trophies in 2025 – the Champions Cup being the first in line, but they’re in danger of falling short of the June 1 final. If they fall to Vancouver, it could indicate a limited ceiling this season with aging superstars.
Inter Miami won the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record in 2024, and will contend for the title again this year. They will also pursue the MLS Cup title later this season.
Inter Miami is also set to participate in the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup tournaments this summer.
Messi, Inter Miami upcoming schedule
May 3: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 10: Minnesota United vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. ET
May 14: San Jose vs. Inter Miami, 10:30 p.m. ET
May 18: Inter Miami vs. Orlando City, 7 p.m. ET
May 24: Philadelphia Union vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 28: Inter Miami vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m. ET
May 31: Inter Miami vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m. ET