Messi facing lawsuit from event promoter after failing to appear in friendly

Messi facing lawsuit from event promoter after failing to appear in friendly
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VID Music Group submitted allegations of fraud and breach of contract against Messi and the Argentine Football Association in Miami-Dade Circuit Court last month, as indicated by court documents. The legal action also involves sports executive Julian Marcos Kapelan.

The filing states that VID entered into an arrangement with the AFA during the previous summer, securing sole authorisation to arrange and advertise Argentinas international friendly encounters in October against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, in return for portions of ticket sales, broadcasting fees, and sponsorship income.

The organiser claims the arrangement stipulated that Messi must participate for a minimum of 30 minutes in every game unless sidelined by injury, highlighting his involvement as a key factor in the events commercial appeal and the main source of their financial success.

The legal action charges Messi with plotting alongside Kapelan and the AFA to undertake actions intended to persuade VID to sign the agreements with the AFA based on misleading information. Messi faces further charges of careless misrepresentation.

The accusations directed at the AFA encompass supposed careless misrepresentation along with violations of the agreement concerning the Venezuela fixture, the October game versus Puerto Rico, and two planned encounters set for the United States in June 2026, while Kapelan is charged with fraudulent behaviour.

Messi, aged 38, sat out Argentinas 1-0 win against Venezuela on 10 October, observing from a luxury box at Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida, per the legal complaint.

On the subsequent day, Messi took the field from the start and netted two goals for Inter Miami in their 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United.

He subsequently featured for Argentina in a 6-0 defeat of Puerto Rico on 14 October, providing two assists in the fixture that VID also arranged and advertised, which had been relocated from Chicago and held at Inter Miamis home venue at the time, Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.