True, they are all recognized as top players in the history of world football. In particular, Cruyff, Beckenbauer and especially Pelé are in the conversation for best footballer ever. But that is not the correct answer. No, the correct answer is that all these football greats have played against and lost to the Vancouver Whitecaps. And so now there’s Lionel Messi. The current consensus world’s best soccer player ever. With the Whitecaps FC takedown of Pumas of Liga MX in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the Caps now have the chance to add to their list of beating the world’s best. The Whitecaps tackle Inter Miami in a home and away matchup April 24 at B.C. Place and April 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. I know what you are thinking. We’ve been here before. Last year’s Messi no-show fiasco sullied Messi’s, the Whitecaps’ and Major League Soccer’s reputation in the eyes of many fans — though I’ve written you could see his absence coming.