Maritza Casiano said last month the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner would participate in an exhibition match against the islanders at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.

But a statement from the player's management company on www.leomessi.com read: "We make clear our rejection of all those companies, unofficial and unauthorised by us, who exploit the image of Leo Messi for their own benefit.

"The latest case involves a company that is promoting a friendly game of Leo Messi and his friends in Puerto Rico. This event is totally false."