Inter Miami to play in Vancouver. Will it be Messi or messy? – BC [Video]

The Vancouver Whitecaps have advanced to the semifinals of a prestigious international tournament, raising hopes that one of the world’s greatest soccer stars will play in front of fans at BC Place.

The ‘Caps will face off against Inter Miami later this month, the club fronted by soccer legend Lionel Messi.

But Vancouver fans may be once bitten, twice shy about the matchup. When Miami played in Vancouver last year, amid massive marketing and high ticket prices, Messi opted not to travel with the team leaving many fans embittered.

“What broke my heart is hearing the stories of like that little boy, whose parents spent thousands on a hotel and tickets and whatnot to come here only to say oh yeah, sorry, Messi’s not coming,” said Whitecaps fan Tony Gabriel.

“That breaks my heart.”

While the Whitecaps were apologetic, there was little in the way of compensation and some fans went as far …