Argentine politico caught in “Messi” situation

Before we get to the more serious news in the Americas we want to start the day off with a light-hearted note from Argentina.

Soccer star Lionel Messi is not a happy camper but this time it’s not due to Barcelona’s loss in the Champions League last week. His image appeared in a campaign ad for Argentine legislator Alfredo Olmedo, a candidate running for governor of Salta. "Say yes to sport, say no to drugs" is the slogan of the ad that appeared in poster form last week in parts of the northwestern province.

Messi’s lawyer, Ricardo Giusepponi, declared on Monday that Messi would sue Olmedo for improper use of his client’s image. Said Giusepponi yesterday:

"The photo may be a sham. It may have been taken at Ezeiza airport (in Buenos Aires), where Lionel is greeted by so many people. He certainly did not know who that person was and his position," the lawyer told a radio station in Rosario, Messi's native city.



"Lionel supports no one. He has nothing to do with party politics," Giusepponi said.

Image- Telam via ESPN Deportes (“The controversial poster used by a candidate for the governor to Salta.”)
Online Sources- Clarin.com, BBC Sport, Sify