Vanni Sartini has no problem with Vancouver Whitecaps fans who wish to cheer Lionel Messi when Inter Miami visit BC Place on Saturday, but he wants his players to ignore the Argentine's presence and focus on themselves.
Miami are currently leading the way in the Eastern Conference and the Supporters' Shield race, with last week's 1-0 win over D.C. United lifting them to 31 points from 15 games.
Messi has contributed 10 goals and nine assists in MLS play this year, and he is expected to feature in Canada despite sustaining a knock in a training session earlier this week.
Supporters' desire to see the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner play has led to some bizarre atmospheres since he arrived in MLS, but Sartini will not tell Vancouver's fans who to applaud.
"It's like going to the Louve and saying, 'don't cheer for the Mona Lisa'. Messi is an Opera artist," Sartini said in his pre-match press conference.
"I'm going to be more excited to see David Beckham than Messi… it's a generational thing. I hope Beckham comes, even my wife will be more happy if Beckham comes!"
Changing tone, Sartini said: "We cannot limit the danger of Messi and Luis Suarez.
"We must prevent the ball from being passed towards them and we need to be in the right state of mind. Let's forget about Messi and focus on our own performance."
Vancouver currently occupy the final automatic playoff spot in the West, taking 19 points from their first 13 matches of 2024.
Messi's Miami team-mate Robert Taylor believes the World Cup winner has made the rest of Gerardo Martino's squad better this year, saying: "Everyone knows what he
brings on the field; he scores, he assists, he does amazing things on the field, he brings us results.
"Then in training, there's this energy around the team, he makes everyone better.
"That's because of his personality, he wants to win every game – even in training – and I think that's been lifting everyone up a lot recently."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld
Gauld scored a stoppage-time penalty to earn Vancouver a 1-1 draw against the Seattle Sounders last time out, and the Whitecaps' last five goals in MLS play have now been scored either by the Scot (two) or Brian White (three).
Inter Miami – Lionel Messi
Messi has failed to record a goal contribution on two successive starts for just the second time since joining Miami last year.
The last time Messi went three or more straight starts in league play without contributing to a goal was on his first four starts for Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, between September and October 2021.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Despite progressing in the Canadian Championship on away goals in midweek, the Whitecaps are winless in their last four matches across all competitions (one draw, three losses).
Miami, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last nine, winning six and drawing three, though they were held to a goalless draw in their last road game against Orlando City.
Messi missed that Florida derby, though, and the Herons have won their last seven league matches when he has been named in their starting lineup, boasting an overall record of 10 wins, two draws and one defeat in 13 league games with Messi starting.
The Whitecaps, however, are unbeaten in their last nine regular-season games against Eastern Conference opponents dating back to the start of last season, winning four and drawing five.
The only team from the East to win in Vancouver since the start of 2021 was the Chicago Fire in July 2022. With that in mind, a draw could be on the cards on Saturday.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 38.5%
Inter Miami – 31.7%
Draw – 29.8%
'He knows he has a whole country behind him' - Scaloni empathises as Messi spends birthday on road
Lionel Scaloni empathised with Lionel Messi after the Argentina captain spent another birthday "away from home".
Messi, who turned 37 on Monday, and his team-mates are preparing to resume their Copa America title defence against Chile on Tuesday.
The reigning champions, who began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Canada, celebrated their skipper's big day by presenting him with a cake.
Messi wrote on Instagram: "Thank you so much for all the greetings and congratulations! Another year that coincides with my birthday being with the National Team, so celebrating a little bit more and we keep getting ready for our next game."
And Scaloni understands it must be difficult for the Inter Miami forward not to have the opportunity to celebrate with his family.
"I know how hard it is for him to be away from home on his birthday," the head coach told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
"We try to make sure he has the best time possible with his team-mates. We are used to it. He knows he has a whole country behind him.
"The important thing is that Messi is here. He trained normally and is fit to play [against Chile]."
Messi was part of the Argentina side that lost to Chile in successive Copa America finals on penalties in 2015 and 2016.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or briefly retired from international duty following the latter, in which he missed his spot-kick, but overturned his decision before eventually leading his nation to Copa America and World Cup glory in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
And Scaloni insisted Argentina are not out to avenge those defeats when they lock horns with La Roja at the MetLife Stadium.
"There is nothing left of [those finals]. Just as it is with last year’s World Cup, it's history. There's no point in going back.
"We have played many matches with these types of characteristics. We will face the match as it happens."
Hungary forward Varga undergoes successful surgery after worrying injury
Barnabas Varga has undergone successful surgery and will leave hospital on Wednesday, after suffering a facial fracture during Hungary's dramatic 1-0 win over Scotland at Euro 2024.
The forward required urgent medical attention after colliding with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the 68th minute of the crucial Group A encounter in Munich on Sunday.
There was a lengthy stoppage in play, with Varga's team-mates forming a protective wall around him for privacy during treatment.
The 29-year-old left the field on a stretcher and was taken to hospital, but was in a stable condition before his surgery.
A statement from the Hungarian Football Federation read: "According to the information of the institution's doctors specialising in facial injuries, the intervention was uncomplicated, so the attacker can leave the hospital on Wednesday."
Varga's wife Laura Skrapits also shared a picture on Instagram, accompanied by the message: "Thank you for the kind, supportive messages. Barni is over the surgery. A little rest awaits him, but everything will be fine."
Kevin Csoboth's 100th-minute strike secured third place for Hungary in Group A, boosting their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
The team dedicated their victory to Varga, holding aloft his number 19 jersey as they saluted their supporters.
Euro 2024 social round-up: Football, eh? Italy snatch a last-16 place and England debate rolls on
Gary Lineker has been at the centre of something of a storm when it comes to England at Euro 2024, and that story was plastered over social media on Monday.
Then, the football took control, with Spain keeping up their winning run and Italy salvaging a draw against Croatia to claim a spot in the last 16.
Here, we unpack the best of the day's social media clips from the tournament in Germany.
Football, eh?
Football... It's crazy!
With a minute to go, Italy - the holders - were on the brink of a possible exit, with Croatia leading 1-0 in Leipzig.
Yet within 30 seconds, Mattia Zaccagni's maiden Azzurri goal had sent Italy through into the last 16, and it's Croatia who are on the verge of an early departure.
Lineker responds
There was a lot left to be desired following England's performance in their 1-1 draw with Denmark, but it is the post-match criticism that has since drawn the most attention.
In particular, Lineker's comments were brought to the attention of Harry Kane in a recent press conference, with the England captain urging the pundits to support the squad.
With the ball back in Lineker's court, he - along with fellow pundit Alan Shearer - had his say on the ongoing debate.
Ferdinand chips into pundit debate
Rio Ferdinand has done his fair share of punditry, and the former England defender had his say on the Lineker debate.
Ferdinand said the England players shouldn't expect pundits to act as "cheerleaders" when the team aren't performing.
Strike a pose
With qualification for the knockout stages already complete, Portugal do not have to worry about any pressure going into their final match against Georgia.
And while taking some time off during training, Joao Felix decided to try his hand at something a little different.
We may even see some of his photos popping up on Portugal's official X account in the coming days.
A family affair
Among the travelling Spanish fans are a family of nine, who have made a 2000km journey to watch their nation at the tournament.
After finally reaching their destination, they got to meet Ferran Torres, Marc Cucurella and Dani Vivian.
Torres subsequently starred for Spain as La Roja stayed perfect in Group B by beating Albania, with the Barcelona forward scoring the only goal of the game.
French cuisine
Ever wondered what an international footballer does at lunchtime?
Well, fortunately for you, the French team allowed their social admins into the inner sanctum.
Scholes backs Mainoo for big things
More punditry relating to England, and this time it was Paul Scholes who had his say.
Scholes thinks Kobbie Mainoo, who has had an impressive season with Manchester United, could be the player to pull the strings in midfield for the Three Lions.
Vertonghen sees into the future
Jan Vertonghen is playing in his sixth major tournament for Belgium, and his third Euros.
Sitting down at Belgium's 'The Basecamp', the veteran defender was given a glimpse of what he will look like if he chooses to forgo retirement and keep playing with the help of AI.
While Vertonghen was seemingly happy with the results, Maxim De Cuyper was not so impressed.
The grind never stops
Cristiano Ronaldo will make his 50th appearance at a major tournament the next time he features at Euro 2024.
And even though Portugal are already through, the work on the training field never stops for the 39-year-old...
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