Lionel Messi, the Inter Miami superstar, is embroiled in a legal dispute in South Florida, facing a $7 million lawsuit alongside the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for alleged fraud and breach of contract. The lawsuit stems from a deal between AFA and Miami-based promoter VID, which secured exclusive rights for Argentina's friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October last year. According to the lawsuit, Messi was contractually obligated to play at least 30 minutes in each match unless injured. However, during the match against Venezuela at Hard Rock Stadium, he did not play and instead watched from a suite reportedly funded by the promoter. This absence is claimed to have breached the agreement's commercial value. Compounding the issue, Messi played for Inter Miami CF the following day, scoring twice in an MLS match, raising doubts about the legitimacy of his injury claims. VID also claims to have incurred losses exceeding $1 million after the Puerto Rico match was moved from Soldier Field in Chicago to a smaller venue in Fort Lauderdale. This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in Messi's legal troubles, which recently included a $329,000 settlement over promotional claims related to his absence from matches.