A Florida-based promotion company has filed a lawsuit against Lionel Messi and the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), alleging fraud and breach of contract after the footballer skipped an international friendly. The lawsuit, reported by US outlet TMZ, claims Messi's absence cost the company millions of dollars.
The promoter, VID, says it had a $7m (£5.16m) agreement requiring Messi to play at least 30 minutes in both exhibition matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, unless injured. However, Messi watched the Venezuela game from a suite at Hard Rock Stadium with his family, which VID claims it paid for. The next day, he played for Inter Miami, scoring twice against Atlanta United.
Messi did represent Argentina in the friendly against Puerto Rico, scoring two goals, but the match was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale. VID alleges the AFA promised to arrange a future friendly with China as compensation, which never materialised. The company now seeks to recoup its alleged losses.
This case follows a similar incident involving Major League Soccer and the Vancouver Whitecaps, which settled a class-action lawsuit over misleading promotional materials about Messi's appearance. The league and club paid $329,000 (£242,000) to settle, without admitting liability.
