Lionel Messi was a no-show at a pricey Chicago meet and greet. (Getty Images)
Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi is spanning the globe raising money for charity through his "Messi and Friends" tour. The July 6 match took place in Chicago at Soldier Field, and around 75 fans -- many of them children -- were scheduled to meet the world's best player.
One problem: Messi never showed up.
Tony Sherwood told USA Today that he dropped $2,500 so that his son, Hudson, could meet his idol. But, in the end, fans were told the star couldn't make it.
"It was chaos from the beginning," Sherwood said. "They weren't prepared. They told us he was coming, told us he was coming, and then five minutes before the match, one of his Spanish-speaking representatives came in and said due to team commitments, he can't come.
"There were tears, disappointment and heartache."
Messi's agency, Numero 5, has not made a statement regarding the allegations, though VISA did refund Sherwood's money.
However, that was small consolation, especially given that the money was destined for a greater cause.
"Money didn't go to charity, and my son's heart was broken," Sherwood told the paper.
Hudson, who has six Messi jerseys, told his dad afterward that he didn't want anymore.
"At worst, it was totally negligent," Sherwood told Crain's Chicago Business. "At best, it was a scam."
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