Lionel Messi, Argentina Soccer Sued Over No-Show At Exhibitions

Miami-based event company VID claims they lost millions after Messi failed to play in two scheduled friendlies.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting an abstract soccer match, with players and the field rendered in sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conceptually representing the complex legal dispute surrounding Lionel Messi's no-show at two scheduled exhibition games.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes legal battle between Lionel Messi, the Argentine national team, and a promoter over a pair of canceled exhibition matches.Chicago Today

A Miami-based event company called VID has filed a lawsuit against Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association (AFA), alleging fraud and breach of contract. VID claims they paid the AFA $7 million for the exclusive rights to two exhibition matches featuring Argentina's national team, with the expectation that Messi would play at least 30 minutes in each game. However, VID says Messi did not play in either match, instead watching from a luxury suite, and they were forced to move the second game to a smaller venue, resulting in over $1 million in losses. VID is seeking to recoup the millions they claim to have lost due to Messi's no-show.

Why it matters

This lawsuit highlights the high-stakes nature of international soccer exhibitions and the potential financial consequences when star players fail to fulfill their contractual obligations. As one of the world's most famous athletes, Messi's participation is often a major draw for these types of events, and his absence can have a significant impact on ticket sales and overall event revenue.

The details

According to the lawsuit, VID struck a deal with the AFA in August 2025 to host two Argentina national team exhibition matches - one against Venezuela and one against Puerto Rico. VID claims they paid the AFA $7 million for the exclusive rights to these games, with the expectation that Messi would play at least 30 minutes in each match unless he was injured. However, VID alleges that Messi did not play in either game, instead watching from a luxury suite, even though he was not injured, as evidenced by the fact that he played the very next day for his club team, Inter Miami. VID also claims they were forced to move the second match from Chicago to a smaller venue in Fort Lauderdale due to civil unrest, resulting in over $1 million in losses.

  • In August 2025, VID struck a deal with the AFA for the two exhibition matches.
  • The first match against Venezuela was scheduled for October 2025.
  • The second match against Puerto Rico was scheduled for a few days later in October 2025.
  • Messi played for Inter Miami the day after missing the first exhibition match.

The players

Lionel Messi

A 38-year-old Argentine soccer player who is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He is currently a player for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

Argentine Football Association (AFA)

The governing body of soccer in Argentina, responsible for the Argentine national team.

VID

A Miami-based company that puts on large-scale music and sporting events, and the plaintiff in the lawsuit against Messi and the AFA.

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What’s next

The lawsuit is currently pending in South Florida courts, and it remains to be seen how the legal battle between VID, Messi, and the AFA will unfold.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of star players fulfilling their contractual obligations for high-profile exhibition matches, as their participation can have a significant impact on the financial success of these events. It also underscores the potential legal consequences that can arise when these obligations are not met.