The forward for Inter Miami and the captain of the Argentine national team, Lionel Messi, has been accused of fraudulent activity within the United States. According to a report by TMZ, the promotional firm VID has initiated a lawsuit seeking substantial monetary damages against the footballer and the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
The genesis of this legal dispute lies in the financial losses incurred by the organizers due to Messi’s non-participation in an exhibition match against the Venezuelan squad, which took place in October of the previous year.
As stipulated by the contractual agreement, the eight-time Ballon d’Or recipient was obligated to perform on the pitch for a minimum duration of 30 minutes, provided there were no documented medical reasons preventing his appearance. The plaintiffs contend that, at the time of the fixture, the South American star was in full health, yet he ultimately failed to take part in the heavily advertised fixture. The precise figure sought as compensation from both the player and the federation has not yet been made public.
Lionel Messi has been representing Inter Miami in the US since 2023. The accomplishments of the 38-year-old striker include a World Cup triumph (2022), two Copa América titles, and four UEFA Champions League victories achieved during his time with Barcelona. Throughout his professional journey, the Argentine maestro has secured 44 trophies, positioning him among the most decorated athletes in history.
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