Lionel Messi and AFA are sued for breach of contract in friendly matches

The promoter Vid Music Group sues Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association for not participating in agreed-upon matches, considering his absence as fraud.

Alvaro Cifuentes | Thu, 04/16/2026 - 21:36
facebook twitter Comentarios
Lionel Messi and AFA sued for breach of contract in friendly matches.
Lionel Messi and AFA sued for breach of contract in friendly matches.

The Vid Music Group promoter sues Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association for not participating in agreed-upon matches, considering his absence as fraud.

Allegations of Fraud and Million-Dollar Lawsuit

Lionel Messi and the AFA face a seven million dollar lawsuit for not playing in friendly matches agreed upon against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in last October's FIFA Date. The promoter alleges breach of contract and fraud, bringing the case before a Miami-Dade court.

Impact on Ticket Sales

Messi's absence in matches with both Inter Miami and the Argentine National Team had a negative impact on ticket sales, as his presence usually generates high revenue. His lack of participation led to a decrease in fan attendance, despite ticket prices being reduced.

Unfulfilled Commitments

According to the contract, Messi was supposed to play at least 30 minutes in each friendly match. However, the Argentine star watched the match against Venezuela from a box and also did not participate in the match against Puerto Rico, causing dissatisfaction with the promoter and affecting public attendance.

Heading Towards the 2026 World Cup

Argentina, with Lionel Messi on its roster, is preparing to face Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in the Group Stage of the 2026 World Cup. Despite these legal issues, it is expected that the Albiceleste will advance smoothly to the Round of 16 in the World Cup.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Demandan a Lionel Messi y AFA por incumplimiento de contrato en partidos amistosos