Many soccer fans in the Vancouver metro area felt frustrated because Lionel Messi did not play in the match held in Vancouver this weekend.

Messi was expected to play in front of fans who bought all the tickets at BC Place stadium when his team Inter Miami faced the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, May 25.

Tickets were sold on the resale market for over $10,000 per pair, while Whitecaps tickets typically start at around $40 or less depending on the seating location.

However, on Thursday, May 23, news spread that the Argentine player would not travel to Vancouver with the rest of his team, and to compensate, fans could purchase all food and drinks at the stadium at a 50% discount, and youths aged 18 or younger would receive a free kids' meal.

A woman launched a Change.org campaign targeting the management of the Vancouver Whitecaps and urged them to refund the frustrated fans.

Despite the absence of superstar Lionel Messi along with top scorer Luis Suarez and midfielder Sergio Busquets, Miami won against the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on the evening of the Saturday before last.