Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (10) leaps over Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) during the second half of the MLS Cup final soccer match, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — A proposed settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit over the non-appearance of soccer superstar Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami players in a match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC last year.

The lawsuit stems from a May 25, 2024, match at BC Place Stadium that drew a crowd of more than 51,000 fans, with more than 3,000 later signing a petition calling for refunds due to ticket prices reaching more than $600 for a match typically priced around $30 after it was promoted using Messi, Luis Suárez and Sergio Busquets.

The proposed settlement between fans who sued the Whitecaps and Major League Soccer includes updates to the Whitecaps' ticketing policies and a $475,000 charitable donation by the defendants of the case, although the exact parties were not specified in the announcement of the settlement.

It also says that the settlement "for greater certainty … does not contemplate distribution of monetary benefits" to members of the class-action lawsuit.

Whitecaps FC has separately confirmed the proposed settlement but declined further comment, but the settlement announcement states that the case's defendants "deny any wrongdoing or liability," as well as assert that the claim of the lawsuit is "without merit."

B.C.-based firm Evolink Law did not respond immediately to requests for comment, but the settlement announcement says the proposed settlement remains subject to court approval at an upcoming hearing in February.

During the 2024 match, won 2-1 by Inter Miami, there were chants of "Where is Messi?" among the crowd.

"We … are deeply disappointed to hear that Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets will not be participating in the upcoming match in Vancouver," said the fan petition for refunds in explaining its rationale. "These world-renowned players' faces have been used in promotions since the schedule announcement, leading to increased ticket demand and premium pricing."

The lawyers for the fans say the Whitecaps and MLS advertised the game by referring to Miami players Messi, Suárez and Busquets, but were "reckless" about whether they would actually play.

The defendants in the case include Whitecaps FC and its general partner, WFC Football GP, as well as Major League Soccer.

Class members have until Jan. 28, 2026, to opt out of the planned settlement, in which the Whitecaps agree to update ticketing terms to state that player appearances are not guaranteed, with a pop-up notice to that effect on Ticketmaster's website.

"If approved, the terms of the settlement will apply to all individuals worldwide who held a ticket to the match — whether or not they attended — excluding tickets provided for free or distributed to Whitecaps employees, players, and their families," the settlement announcement says.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025