What is Lionel Messi controversy story? Given his demeanour on and off the pitch, one will argue vehemently that it is impossible for Lionel Messi to be involved in any form of controversy whatsoever. Some football neutrals have overtime confessed that one of the reasons why they like the Argentine captain is due to his calm and humble nature. However, like every other celebrity in the world. controversy is always around the corner and Lionel Messi has been involved in more than a handful of controversies in his over fifteen years career.
In this post, we will share some of the popular controversies moments Lionel Messi has been involved in.
Lionel Messi controversy: Messi’s controversial moments
Lionel Messi controversy stories are well documented either while playing for the national team or Barcelona. The Inter Miami forward has been involved in more than a handful of controversial moments in his career and one of the most popular in recent times is his row with Barcelona executives over the release clause in the contract. The tax fraud controversy in 2016 also put the player in the spotlight as well as his father Jorge Messi who serves as his agent.
Tax Evasion 2016
n 2016, Lionel Messi and his father, Jorge Messi, were declared guilty of engaging in tax fraud. According to reports, they were found to have evaded approximately $4.5 million in taxes to the Spanish government between 2007 and 2009 by manipulating Messi’s image rights. This legal issue emerged as part of an investigation in 2013 that involved other notable soccer figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Javier Mascherano.
During the trial, Messi asserted that he had no knowledge of the tax fraud, as he had placed trust in his father and advisors to manage his financial matters. He stated, “I didn’t know anything. I only worried about playing football.”
During the trial, Messi asserted that he had no knowledge of the tax fraud, as he had placed trust in his father and advisors to manage his financial matters. He stated, “I had no awareness of the situation. My focus was solely on playing football.” Consequently, the acclaimed Argentine player was ordered to pay a fine of $2.1 million and was initially sentenced to 21 months in prison. However, he later substituted this sentence with a fine of $288,000. In addition to this, he made a voluntary “corrective payment” totaling around $5.5 million.
In a subsequent interview, Messi disclosed his contemplation of departing from Barcelona during the investigation period. He candidly admitted, “Honestly, back then, the idea of leaving crossed my mind. I considered leaving Spain due to feeling unfairly treated and disheartened by the situation.” He also remarked that the authorities dealt with his case sternly to set a precedent.
War of words with Barcelona management
Lionel Messi into a controversy with Barcelona over the release clause of his contract. It got bad that the player wanted to go court to prove his case. He also attacked the then Bartomeu led board as he labelled them a “disaster.”
After a tumultuous 2019-20 season, Messi sent an official communication to the club, known as a burofax, indicating his intention to depart from Barcelona. Despite Messi’s anticipation of a seamless departure, the then-president of the club, Josep Bartomeu, opposed facilitating such a move. Several months subsequent to the burofax incident, Messi participated in an interview during which he divulged a series of remarkable revelations concerning Bartomeu.
Messi said, “I’m staying because the president said the only way to go was to pay the €700 million (release) clause, which is impossible. The other way was to go to court. I wanted to go and I was totally within my rights because the contract said I could leave for free.” Messi further blamed Bartomeu’s poor handling of the club and said, “The management of the club led by Bartomeu is a disaster.”
Supporting a Dictator
Another popular Lionel Messi controversy dates back to 2015 when he he visited Gabon on the invitation of Gabonese president Ali Bongo Ondimba. He was accused of dining and wining with the oppressor.
Lionel Messi is renowned for his extensive involvement as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Additionally, he has established the Leo Messi Foundation, a non-profit organization with the aim of enhancing the circumstances of disadvantaged children. Despite his numerous philanthropic endeavors, Messi found himself embroiled in a contentious situation during his visit to Gabon in 2015.
President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon extended an invitation to Lionel Messi to partake in the ceremonial laying of the inaugural brick for a stadium ahead of the 2017 African Nations Cup, an event that Gabon was set to host. In the aftermath of Messi’s trip, speculations emerged suggesting that he was compensated approximately $3.7 million for his visit to Gabon. Although Gabon refuted the claims of such payments, Messi faced additional censure from the Human Rights Foundation (HRF).
HRF president Thor Halvorssen lambasted the Inter Miami star for accepting Ali Bongo Ondimba’s invitation. Halvorssen stated, “In providing PR services to Gabon’s Bongo family, Lionel Messi has seriously undermined the credibility of his charitable foundation.” Messi was further criticized for supporting Bongo whose administration “refuses to investigate the ritual murder of children in Gabon.“
Messi vs CONMEBOL
Despite his quiet and restrained demeanour, Lionel Messi left the Copa America 2019 with a bang after Argentina’s third-place match against Chile. Brazil defeated Messi’s team 2-0 in the Copa America semifinals that year. Argentina’s victory over Chile in the third-place match coincided with Messi’s first-ever international red card.
The match began with a heated altercation between Messi and Chilean defender Gary Medel in the 37th minute. Following the game, Messi made some startling remarks despite the fact that both players were sent off. In addition, he declined to go to the post-match awards ceremony, accusing the South American football federation CONMEBOL of being corrupt.
“I think that we shouldn’t form part of this corruption. For the lack of respect, they’ve shown us in this tournament.” He was also asked about the final match between hosts Brazil and Peru. To which, Messi responded, “I think there’s no doubt, unfortunately, it’s there for Brazil. Hopefully, VAR and the referees will have nothing to do with the final so that Peru can compete, because they have the team to do so, but it’s difficult.“
Messi’s comments did not go down well with CONMEBOL as he was suspended for three months with a $50,000 fine.
Lionel Messi controversy: Cheating allegation
Lionel Messi has been married to his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo for over five years. Messi and Antonella have been friends since they were children. They have been married for over a decade and have three children: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro. Although there have been rumours in the past casting doubt on Messi’s devotion to Antonela.
Messi was photographed at a strip club in 2013, according to the Argentine magazine Pronto. The photos were allegedly taken following a charity match in Chicago. However, the veracity of the images has yet to be established.
Although the individual in the picture appears to be the PSG star, it is not sure. Furthermore, the images could have been forgeries or the work of some delinquents.
Messi cheated on wife Antonela Rocuzzo many times, according to Daniella Chavez.
Meanwhile, Chilean model Daniella Chavez recently admitted to having an affair with Messi. Daniella further claimed that Messi was disloyal to Antonella with several other models. “There’s no need to add anything that isn’t true; I know other women who dated a famous Argentina No. 10 as well,” she remarked. I even have a video to prove it, but I can’t post it since it violates his privacy and we’re both naked.”
Chilean beauty Daniella Chavez reportedly admitted to having an affair with Messi. Daniella further claimed that Messi was disloyal to Antonella with several other models. “There’s no need to add anything that isn’t true; I know other women who dated a famous Argentina No. 10 as well,” she remarked. I even have a video to prove it, but I can’t post it since it violates his privacy and we’re both naked.”
Daniella Chavez isn’t the only lady who has strained Messi and Antonella’s relationship. Suzy Cortez, a Brazilian model who won the Miss BumBum title in 2015, has regularly stated her admiration for Messi.
Retirement from Argentina
In 2016, Lionel Messi made a surprising declaration of retiring from international football after Argentina’s defeat to Chile in the Copa America final. The frustration stemming from his team’s inability to clinch a major tournament victory, coupled with the weight of captaincy pressure, led Messi to opt out of national team representation. This unexpected choice reverberated across the football community, leaving fans disheartened.
Nonetheless, Messi eventually re-evaluated his decision, making a comeback to the national team and continuing to contribute to Argentina’s matches in the years that followed. Messi went on to win the 2021 Copa America, 2022 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA-CONMEBOL Cup.
Gesture vs Netherlands
Argentina versus Netherlands was one of the most dramatic matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The quarter-final fixture witnessed drama on and off the pitch in a keenly contested affair. Messi also got involved in one of the controversial moments as he celebrated in front of Louis Van Gaal and the Netherlands bench as he cupped his ears as he stared at them.
Messi didn’t stop there as he got into a heated confrontation with the Netherlands bench after regular time. It was also gathered that the Argentine captain called a Netherlands player “a fool” in the mixed zone.
