Johnathan Walker:Lionel Messi, Inter Miami face CF Montreal with record-setting MLS ticket sales

Lionel Messi and Johnathan WalkerInter Miami are back in action this weekend, north of the border.

Inter Miami visits CF Montreal on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Stadium Saputo in Montreal, as Messi and the club hope to continue their recent hot streak.

The match is considered the “hottest” Inter Miami ticket this season, by Vivid Seats, with an average ticket price of $465. It also ranks in the Top 10 of most expensive MLS tickets sold since 2009.

The Montreal match also begins a Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday stretch of games for Inter Miami, where Messi’s availability could be monitored a month ahead of Copa America 2024. Inter Miami will visit Orlando City on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., and will host D.C. United on May 18.

“We will see what [Saturday’s] game is like, and how the players basically end up there, and determine those in better condition for the game in Orlando,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said.  

Will Messi play in Montreal?

Messi is healthy and expected to play in Montreal.

A rule of thumb for Messi fans to remember: If he’s healthy, he’ll travel and play in games.

How to watch CF Montreal vs. Inter Miami

The Inter Miami match on the road at CF Montreal is available via MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

• WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami travel to take on CF Montreal on Apple TV
• TICKETS: Experience Messi and Inter Miami in person on the road in Montreal
• SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami team gear from the MLS Store

Inter Miami’s game at CF Montreal is hottest MLS ticket this season

Vivid Seats says Saturday’s Montreal game is the most expensive MLS ticket sale average they’ve documented for a match this season at $465.

The previous record was Inter Miami’s second game this season against the L.A. Galaxy, which had an average ticket sale price of $446.

The Montreal game ranks seventh in the Top 10 of most expensive games since 2009, with Messi and Inter Miami games taking 8 of the 10 top spots.

Messi has been on a tear in MLS games

Messi made MLS history, becoming the first player to record five assists in a game, and record six goal contributions in a match, during Inter Miami’s 6-2 blowout win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.

Messi is tied with teammate Luis Suárez for the league-lead with 10 goals and leads all MLS players with 12 assists – despite missing four league games while dealing with a hamstring injury from March 13 to April 6.

Messi could make MLS history again against Montreal. With a goal and assist, he could become the second player to have multiple goal contributions in nine straight games, joining Cobi Jones, who did it in the first nine games in 1998.

Will Jordi Alba play against Montreal?

Defender Jordi Alba – one of Inter Miami’s four core Barcelona pieces along with Messi, Suárez and Sergio Busquets – will not play against Montreal.

Alba has returned to practice, but Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said he wants to wait at least one more match before Alba returns from a right hamstring injury, he suffered on April 13 against Sporting Kansas City.

Inter Miami looking for 'revenge' in rematch against Montreal

Inter Miami sits atop the MLS Eastern Conference with 24 points from 12 matches played, and a 7-3-2 (win-draw-loss) record.

One of the losses came against Montreal, which won 3-2 on March 10 in a match Messi did not play to rest a shin injury.

Considering Inter Miami’s 6-2 win vs. New York Red Bulls last week was payback for a 4-0 loss Messi also did not play, the Inter Miami-Montreal match should be an exciting one for fans.

“They took three points from us at home here, and now we're going to try and take three points from them there and return the favor, and have a little bit of a revenge in a sense, just like we had last week against the Red Bulls as well,” Inter Miami’s Julian Gressel said.