Lionel Messi faces $7 million fraud lawsuit as Florida promoter alleges huge losses after Argentina star skipped Venezuela exhibition match Lionel Messi is now facing a legal dispute in the United States after a Florida-based company filed a lawsuit alleging he caused significant financial losses by skipping a scheduled exhibition match. The lawsuit, filed by VID, a Miami-based promoter of sports and music events, claims Messi’s absence from a Venezuela game led to substantial damages. According to TMZ, VID had signed a $7 million deal with the Argentine Football Association for two exhibition matches in October. These matches were planned against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The agreement required Messi to play at least 30 minutes in both games unless he was injured. However, Messi did not appear in the Venezuela match at Hard Rock Stadium, prompting VID to accuse him of breaching the contract. VID alleges that Messi’s failure to participate in the Venezuela game, despite being fit to play, caused the event to lose value and revenue. The company further claims that Messi played the following day for Inter Miami CF, scoring two goals against Atlanta United, which they argue proves he was physically capable of participating in the Venezuela match. Additionally, VID states it paid for a private suite for Messi and his family to watch the game, even though he did not take to the field. The promoter asserts that the missed match led to losses exceeding $1 million, citing a venue change as a contributing factor. The Venezuela match was originally scheduled to take place in Chicago but was moved to Fort Lauderdale due to poor ticket sales. VID claims the decision to relocate the event was made without their input, leading to confusion about responsibility.#miami #lionel_messi #inter_miami_cf #argentine_football_association #vid
Lionel Messi Sued Over Missed Exhibition Match, Contract Breach Alleged Lionel Messi is facing a lawsuit from a Miami-based event promoter, Vid Music Group, which alleges the soccer icon and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) violated a $7 million contract by failing to fulfill obligations tied to an exhibition match last year. The legal action, filed in Miami-Dade circuit court, centers on claims of fraud and breach of contract, though details of the damages sought remain unspecified. Messi and the AFA have not yet responded to inquiries about the case. The lawsuit highlights a contractual agreement between Vid and the AFA, signed in the summer of 2023, which granted Vid exclusive rights to organize and promote Argentina’s friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October 2023. In exchange, Vid was to receive revenue from ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorships. According to the filing, the deal required Messi to participate in at least 30 minutes of play in each match unless he was injured. The first match, against Venezuela on October 10, was held at South Florida’s Hard Rock Stadium, where Messi reportedly watched the 1-0 victory from a suite. The following day, Messi played a key role in Inter Miami’s 4-0 MLS win over Atlanta, a game critical for securing the club’s home-field advantage in the playoffs. On October 14, Argentina faced Puerto Rico in a match originally scheduled for Chicago. However, the event was relocated to Florida due to low ticket sales, a decision attributed to the city’s immigration enforcement activities. The lawsuit claims that the relocation to Fort Lauderdale, where the game was held, led to poor ticket sales despite reduced prices to $25 per ticket.#lionel_messi #inter_miami #hard_rock_stadium #argentine_football_association #vid_music_group
Argentina Are Gambling With Their World Cup Preparation The final preparations for the 2026 World Cup were meant to provide clarity for Argentina’s squad, but instead, coach Lionel Scaloni faces a cloud of uncertainty as he prepares to defend the title. The Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) scheduling decisions, which prioritize financial gain and minimize risk, have left the team with a lack of meaningful competition, raising concerns about their readiness for the tournament. This March’s international window was intended to be a stress test, featuring a high-stakes match against Spain in the Finalissima and a competitive friendly against a World Cup-qualified team from Qatar. These fixtures would have simulated tournament conditions with credible opposition and tactical challenges. However, the war in the Middle East and scheduling conflicts forced the AFA to replace these games with matches against Mauritania and Zambia—teams ranked far below the middle tier of international football. Both matches will take place in Buenos Aires, under Argentina’s terms, offering little insight into how the squad will perform under pressure. While the games may provide fitness and rhythm, they fail to test the team’s ability to adapt to competitive scenarios. The 2024 Copa América further highlights Argentina’s struggles beyond their home turf. Despite winning the tournament, the team rarely dominated, relying on narrow victories and penalty shootouts. Away from home, Argentina’s performance in World Cup qualifying matches against Colombia, Paraguay, and Ecuador underscored their vulnerability. These results suggest that while Argentina remains elite in their own country, they are not guaranteed success on the global stage.#argentina #finalissima #world_cup_2026 #lionel_scaloni #argentine_football_association
