Lionel Messi fan expresses frustration with unique sign after spending almost $5000 to watch Inter Miami superstar in action

Over 50,000 tickets were sold for the Herons’ MLS clash with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Canadian soil. Many of those in attendance had splashed out on experience entrance passes in the hope of catching eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in action.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  They were left disappointed, however, as the all-time great was not included in Tata Martino’s travelling squad – along with fellow former Barcelona stars Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets. Inter Miami opted to rest that decorated trio in an ingoing bid to manage their respective workloads.

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Said decision did not go down well in Vancouver, with supporters quick to air their frustration. Some took to altering their shirts, with Messi’s name being replaced by the word ‘Missing’, while one produced a home-made sign that pointed out how he spent $4900 on travel, tickets, food and accommodation, only to see the supposedly star attraction remain in Florida.

  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Inter Miami are making no apologies for selection calls that have their best interests at heart – with no guarantees offered that Messi will grace all of their fixtures – but Martino is expected to have his talismanic captain available again for back-to-back home dates with Atlanta United and St Louis City.