Fans who attend Saturday’s Whitecaps game to get free ticket to future game

It’s been a disappointing week for soccer fans after it was announced Thursday that Argentinian soccer superstar Lionel Messi will not play in a match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place Saturday.

But the Whitecaps FC has some good news for ticketholders: it is going to be giving away free tickets for a future match for all fans who attend Saturday’s game, the club has confirmed to CityNews.

“As a thank you for your continued support, all fans in attendance tonight for our game against Inter Miami CF will receive a complimentary ticket to a future 2024 regular season match,” the club said in an email to ticketholders.

Social media has been flooded with posts from angry fans after the announcement that Messi wouldn’t be playing, with many ripping apart the soccer star and calling him a “corporate schill,” and others saying he should be forced to play.

On Thursday afternoon, Inter Miami CF confirmed Messi along with Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets would not play Saturday’s match.

Sportsnet 650 Host Dan Riccio says to a lot of people in Messi’s home country of Argentina, he’s the equivalent of a God.

“So, for Argentinians who may be living in Vancouver, and wanting to go to this game, just people who are genuine soccer fans, this is a huge deal.”

Riccio speculates on why Messi didn’t make the trip to Vancouver.

“Travel. I mean, this is a long flight from Miami. I wouldn’t put it past a player that’s used to taking short plane rides across Europe to play games to be like, ‘What? We have to fly six hours to get to this game?’”

Messi is not hurt but it’s believed he’s resting ahead of COPA America — a tournament in Europe — which gets underway next month.

The club has already offered anyone at the match with 50 per cent off all food and drinks and people under 18 can get a free kids meal.

The Whitecaps tell CityNews additional details on the free tickets will be sent out to ticketholders via email later this week.

With files from Sonia Aslam, Robyn Crawford, Cole Schisler, and Kate Walker.