Lionel Messi Faces Fraud Lawsuit in US Over Alleged $7 Million Contract Breach

Miami: Football icon Lionel Messi has been named in a lawsuit filed in the United States, with a Miami-based event promoter accusing him of fraud and breach of contract linked to an exhibition match last year.

The legal complaint, filed in a Miami-Dade court by Vid Music Group, also names the Argentine Football Association as a co-defendant. The promoter alleges that it paid around $7 million to secure exclusive rights to organise and promote Argentina’s international friendlies in October 2025.

According to the lawsuit, a key condition of the agreement required Messi to play a minimum duration in each match unless sidelined by injury. However, the Argentine captain did not feature in the game against Venezuela held in Florida, instead watching from the stands.

The situation has drawn particular attention because Messi reportedly played for his club side, Inter Miami CF, shortly after the international fixture, raising questions from the promoter about the reasons for his absence.

Vid Music Group claims that Messi’s non-participation significantly impacted ticket sales, sponsorship commitments, and overall event revenue, leading to substantial financial losses. The company has not publicly disclosed the exact compensation it is seeking but maintains that the damages run into millions.

The lawsuit also points to additional setbacks, including a venue change for another friendly match against Puerto Rico, which further affected attendance and earnings.

Despite Argentina fielding a squad featuring several high-profile players, the promoter argued that Messi’s presence was the primary draw for fans, making his absence particularly costly.

The case is expected to draw attention across the sports and legal worlds, as it could influence how future contracts involving star athletes are structured, especially in exhibition matches where player appearances are a key commercial factor.

Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has not publicly responded to the lawsuit so far.