Lionel Messi is at the centre of a legal battle in Florida, with a Miami-based promoter claiming his absence from two high-profile matches cost them millions.

The company says it paid around $7 million for the rights to host Argentina friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, with the expectation that Messi would play at least 30 minutes in each game unless injured. According to the lawsuit, he did not feature in one of the matches and instead watched from a suite, despite playing for Inter Miami the very next day. Organisers argue that Messi’s presence was the main attraction and his absence hurt ticket sales, sponsors, and overall revenue. They also point to losses tied to a venue change for the second match and claim promises of future games in China in 2026 to make up for it never materialised. 

The case, which also names the Argentine Football Association, is now seeking compensation for financial losses.