Lionel Messi, the world-renowned Argentine footballer often hailed as one of the greatest players of all time, has enjoyed a remarkable career on the pitch. However, his journey has not been without its share of controversies. From legal battles to clashes with football authorities, Messi’s life has seen its ups and downs. Below are some of his notable controversies that have marked his life:
Tax Fraud Case:
In 2016, Messi and his father were found guilty of not paying taxes correctly in Spain. They were accused of using special places called tax havens to hide money they got from showing their images. At first, Messi was told to go to prison for 21 months, but later he paid a fine of €252,000, and his father got a punishment that meant he didn’t have to go to prison.
Growth Hormone Treatment:
Messi’s growth hormone deficiency was a subject of controversy during his early years at Barcelona. The club provided him with the necessary treatment, sparking debates about the ethics of using growth hormones in young athletes.
Retirement from International Football:
Messi said he was going to stop playing for Argentina after they lost an important game in 2016. It was the final of a special competition called the Copa America. But later, he said he was not going to stop and kept playing for his country.
FIFA Ban:
FIFA, the group that takes care of football worldwide, stopped Messi from playing four games for his country in 2017. They did this because Messi was not nice to a person who helps during the games. But after he talked to them, they let him play again.
Leaving FC Barcelona:
Messi left the team he played for, FC Barcelona, in 2021. This was a big deal because he was there for a long time. The team had money problems and rules that said they couldn’t keep Messi, so he went to play for another team called Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Allegations of Aggression:
In 2016, Messi was said to be not very nice during a football match against Manchester City. He was accused of being aggressive and using bad words. Because of this, he had to pay some money as a fine. Messi’s frustration with football authorities, particularly the South American football governing body CONMEBOL, became evident during the 2016 Copa America Centenario. He criticized the officiating and later received a suspension for controversial comments he made. This strained relationship continued as Messi later accused CONMEBOL of corruption during the 2019 Copa America.
Panama Papers Scandal:
In 2016, there was a big leak of papers that showed secrets about money from different people. Messi’s name was in these papers. They said he had money outside of his country, but they didn’t show that he did anything really bad.
Dispute with Former Agent:
Messi and his old helper, called his agent, had a problem in 2020. They didn’t agree about money that Messi should get. They had to go to a place where people solve problems (a court) to figure things out.
Social Media Controversy:
In 2021, Messi made some posts on the internet that talked about a fight between two places, Israel and Gaza. Some people got mad at him for talking about this. They said he shouldn’t say things like this on the internet.
Controversial Red Card :
Messi received a straight red card during a match against Chile in the 2019 Copa America. His ejection led to debates over the referee’s decision and discussions about the pressures of international tournaments.
While Lionel Messi’s controversies have occasionally cast shadows on his illustrious career, his remarkable skills and dedication to the sport have consistently shone through
