Lionel Messi is facing legal action after allegedly failing to play in an exhibition match in Miami, with a local event promoter accusing him of breaching contractual obligations.
According to court filings, Miami-based promoter VID Music Group has lodged claims of fraud and breach of contract against Messi, the Argentina national football team, and sports executive Julian Marcos Kapelan. The case was filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on 31 March.
The complaint centres around an agreement that granted VID exclusive rights to organise and promote Argentina’s friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October 2025.
As part of the deal, Messi was reportedly required to play at least 30 minutes in each match unless he was injured. The promoter claims his presence was a key commercial driver for the fixtures.
Messi did not feature in Argentina’s 1–0 win over Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium on 10 October, instead watching from a suite.
However, the forward played the following day for Inter Miami, scoring twice in a 4–0 victory over Atlanta United.
He later appeared in Argentina’s friendly against Puerto Rico on 14 October, registering two assists in a 6–0 win.
VID claims it suffered significant financial losses due to Messi’s absence from the Miami fixture, arguing that his participation was central to ticket sales, sponsorship and broadcast revenue.
The lawsuit also alleges that Messi, the Argentine Football Association and Kapelan engaged in conduct that led the promoter to enter the agreement under false pretences.
The case highlights the commercial weight attached to superstar players in exhibition matches and raises questions over contractual guarantees tied to player appearances.
Neither Messi nor the Argentine Football Association has publicly responded to the allegations.
