VID Music Group, a promoter based in Miami, is suing Lionel Messi for fraud and breach of contract, according to court documents. The lawsuit also names the Argentine Football Association (AFA) as a defendant, alleging contract breach, fraud, and misleading information. The legal action stems from Messi not playing in an Argentina friendly match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, where he was contracted to play at least 30 minutes in exhibition matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, unless injured. Messi did not play in that match, and multiple reports indicate he watched it from the stands with his family. VID claims it paid for the suite Messi and his family used during the Venezuela match, according to the company's allegations in the lawsuit.
The day after the Venezuela match, Messi played for Inter Miami, scoring two goals in a victory over Atlanta United. He later did play in the Argentina friendly against Puerto Rico, contributing two goals, but that match was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, according to multiple reports. Officials in Chicago claimed low ticket sales caused the Puerto Rico match venue change, while Argentinian officials stated the venue change was due to a strict immigration crackdown in Chicago, according to sources from both sides.
VID alleges the AFA agreed to arrange a friendly match with China in 2026 to rectify the situation, but it did not materialize, according to the company's claims. The promoter seeks to recoup money it claims to have lost due to the situation, though the exact amount of damages VID is seeking in the lawsuit has not been disclosed.
This case occurs in a broader legal context where similar disputes have arisen in sports. A similar legal case involved MLS and the Vancouver Whitecaps, who settled a class-action lawsuit, according to multiple reports. Messi's or AFA's legal response to the lawsuit, as well as what evidence VID has to support its fraud allegations, remain unknown at this time. The specific terms of the $7 million deal mentioned in the contract, including why Messi did not play in the Venezuela match if he was not injured, are also unclear and may be central to the litigation.