Lionel Messi is facing a lawsuit from a Miami-based event promoter, VID Music Group, alleging the soccer star breached a contract by failing to play in exhibition matches last year. The promoter filed claims of fraud and breach of contract against Messi, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and sports executive Julian Marcos Kapelan in Miami-Dade Circuit Court.
According to the complaint, VID secured exclusive rights to organize and promote Argentina's international friendlies in October against Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The agreement stipulated Messi must play at least 30 minutes in each match unless injured, as his participation was a "central element of the match's commercial value."
The lawsuit accuses Messi of conspiring with Kapelan and the AFA to mislead VID into contracts under "false pretenses." Messi is also accused of negligent misrepresentation.
Messi did not play in Argentina's October 10 victory over Venezuela, watching from a suite. He did, however, play and score twice for Inter Miami the following day. Messi later appeared for Argentina in a match against Puerto Rico on October 12, organized by VID, where he recorded two assists.