Lionel Messi is facing a bombshell lawsuit after missing an international match for Argentina last year.
As reported in American outlet TMZ, Messi and the Argentina Football Association (AFA) are being sued for fraud and breach of contract in South Florida by VID, a promotional company that puts on sports and music events.
The report details that VID signed a $7million (£5.3m) deal with the AFA last August for exclusive rights to two international matches last October – Argentina’s friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
Miami-based company VID claim that Messi was required to play a minimum of 30 minutes in each match, unless he was injured. Yet Messi, 38, watched Argentina’s 1-0 win against Venezuela from the stands of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, in a suite alongside his family. VID also claim they paid for Messi’s suite.
The day after the Venezuela clash, Messi scored twice in a 4-0 Inter Miami win over Atlanta United in the MLS. Messi did then play in Argentina’s 6-0 win against Puerto Rico a few days later.
VID also allege they lost more than $1m after the Puerto Rico clash was moved from 61,500-capacity Soldier Field in Chicago to the 21,550-capacity Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
According to an AFA executive, the move materialised due to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in Chicago. However, Chicago officials state it was due to low ticket sales.
Nonetheless, VID claim that the AFA insisted they would rectify the situation with games in China this year. However, amid a busy international calendar which includes this summer’s World Cup in the United States, those matches have not materialised.
As such, TMZ’s report claims VID want to be reimbursed for all of the money lost.
When approached by The Independent, the AFA said in a statement: “AFA is aware of the lawsuit filed by VID Music Group and its principal, Javier Fernandez. AFA fully performed all of its obligations under the relevant agreements, including delivering the Argentine national team for both matches in October 2025.
“The contracts, payment records, and contemporaneous communications tell the full story, and AFA is prepared to present them in the appropriate forum. AFA will defend this matter vigorously — and will pursue collection of the millions of dollars owed to it by the very parties who filed this lawsuit.“
Messi’s representatives have also been approached for comment. The 38-year-old, who has 198 caps for Argentina, is yet to decide whether he will play for the defending champions in this summer’s World Cup, which would be his sixth Finals appearance.
