Football star Mauro Icardi has received an extraordinary driving suspension in Argentina that authorities intend to keep in effect until January 1, 2099, according to statements from the country’s Ministry of Transportation. The administrative penalty spans roughly 73 years and stems from an investigation triggered by a social media video shared by his partner, China Suárez.
The Social Media Video and Ministry Investigation
The controversy began when Suárez published a video on social media showing Icardi behind the wheel of a car in Buenos Aires. During the recording, Suárez can be seen leaning out of the passenger window while reportedly not wearing a seatbelt. The footage drew the attention of Argentinian traffic authorities, who subsequently reviewed Icardi’s licensing status and discovered that his local permit had expired.
“We have found that Icardi’s driver’s license had expired. Therefore, we have ordered his provisional driving ban order,” the Ministry of Transportation stated. Alongside the driving prohibition, the former Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray forward is required to undergo a fitness-to-drive evaluation. Officials determined that the resulting suspension would run until 2099.
Icardi’s Response and Challenge to Authorities
The 33-year-old player immediately contested the ruling on social media, questioning which document the ministry had actually invalidated. According to Icardi, he no longer holds a valid Argentinian driver’s license and instead carries an Italian license that remains valid until 2029.
“I would like to know how you managed to invalidate my Italian license, which is still valid until 2029,” Icardi wrote online. He also targeted the Ministry of Transportation over infrastructure conditions, writing: “Think rather about repairing the streets to improve traffic in our country instead of wasting your time with tweets and whining.” He added further criticism, urging officials to “stop lying to people and finally get to work.”
Dispute Over the Duration of the Penalty
Beyond questioning the validity of the action against his Italian paperwork, Icardi voiced deep frustration regarding the nearly century-long duration of the ban. The forward characterized the measure as potential harassment and an attempt by officials to generate media attention rather than address legitimate traffic management issues.
Related reading
