Soccer fans are left wondering about one important aspect as the eagerly awaited matchup approaches: will Lionel Messi play in Vancouver?  As Inter Miami CF is ready to play the Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals at BC Place this Thursday, this intriguing topic hangs over the heads of supporters who are anxious to see the world legend in action.

Prices for tickets to this important match have generated a lot of interest; on major resale platforms, they range from $88 to an incredible $4,400.  The demand is ambivalent, according to Vancouver Ticket’s general manager, Kingsley Bailey.  “There’s an air of uncertainty; fans are apprehensive about whether Messi will actually play,” he said.  “People remember the disappointment from last May when inter miami left Messi behind for what turned out to be a lackluster regular season game, disappointing over 50,000 fans and leaving many to shell out a fortune for tickets.”

Bailey points out that some supporters are prepared to take a chance on Messi’s involvement despite the conflicting demand this time around.  Because speculation is still involved, there is a large variety in ticket costs.  To make sure there aren’t any last-minute adjustments, fans should think about holding off on buying tickets until the very last minute,” he continued.

 For many, the most recent match against Inter Miami did not go as planned.  Fans yearned for a spectacle, but Messi and fellow players Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba were not present.  The Whitecaps offered a future ticket and a 50% discount on food and drink as an appeasement to the disgruntled crowd, but it didn’t do much to calm the irate fans who were wanting to witness their idols compete in person.

All eyes will be on Inter Miami as game day draws near, as they are anticipated to reveal their travel roster on Tuesday.  Even if Messi travels, there is no guarantee that he will see a lot of action at BC Place.  Two games will be played in this semi-final round: the first in Vancouver and the second on April 30 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.