The proposed settlement was reached in a class action lawsuit over the soccer superstar's no-show case. Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami players in the match against Vancouver Whitecaps last year.
The proposed settlement between fans suing the Whitecaps and Major League Soccer includes an update to the Whitecaps' ticketing policies and a $475,000 charitable donation.
Fans' lawyers say the settlement remains subject to court approval at upcoming hearings, and that Whitecaps and MLS continue to deny wrongdoing or liability.
At the match on May 25, 2024, which Inter Miami won 2–1, the crowd of more than 51,000 fans chanted “Where is Messi.”
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Fans' lawyers say Whitecaps and MLS promoted the game by citing Miami players Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets but were “reckless” about whether they would actually play.
Class members have until January 28, 2026 to opt out of a planned agreement under which the Whitecaps agree to update their ticket sales terms to state that player performances are not guaranteed, with a pop-up notice to that effect on the Ticketmaster website.
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