Messi Sued for $7M Over Missed Exhibition Match
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- VID Music Group filed a fraud and breach of contract lawsuit against Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association in Miami‑Dade circuit court, alleging violation of a $7 million contract for exclusive rights to promote Argentina’s friendlies.
- Lionel Messi allegedly missed at least 30 minutes of play in the October 10 friendly against Venezuela, watching the 1‑0 win from a suite at Hard Rock Stadium.
- Lionel Messi later played in Argentina’s 6‑0 victory over Puerto Rico on Oct. 14, a match moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale after low ticket sales and an immigration crackdown in Chicago.
- Ralph Patino, counsel for VID Music Group, said Messi’s participation was a material term of the agreements and directly tied to the commercial viability of the matches.
- VID Music Group claims it lost “millions” due to Messi’s non‑appearance in one game and reduced ticket sales at the other, though it has not specified the exact damages sought.
Why it matters: VID Music Group stands to recover the millions it says it lost, while Messi and the AFA face potential reputational damage and legal costs; the suit underscores how a single player’s attendance can make or break the profitability of high‑profile exhibition events.
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