Scandal: Gonzalo Montiel accuses former lawyer of multi-million dollar fraud

Gonzalo Montiel, World Cup winner with Argentina and current player for River Plate, has filed a formal complaint against his former lawyer, Nicolás Payarola, accusing him of a large-scale fraud that exceeds $700,000. The case centres around alleged misappropriation of funds, including a significant portion of the prize money awarded by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) following Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The complaint, which has been presented to judicial authorities, outlines at least nine incidents of fraud and three instances of document forgery. According to Montiel and his legal team, the fraudulent actions were carried out not only against the player himself but also against members of his immediate family.

Initial reports suggest that Payarola may have taken advantage of his access to Montiel’s personal and financial information to divert funds intended for the player. These include both World Cup-related earnings and other undisclosed amounts handled by the lawyer during his time as Montiel’s legal advisor.

The relationship between Montiel and Payarola reportedly broke down after inconsistencies were detected in financial records, prompting the player to commission a full audit. The results allegedly confirmed the irregularities, which led to the current legal proceedings.

So far, the accused has not issued a public statement, and it remains to be seen how the case will unfold in court. However, the gravity of the charges and the amount of money involved place this incident among the most high-profile financial scandals involving a professional footballer in recent Argentine history.

Montiel, who played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup campaign and famously scored the winning penalty in the final against France, is now seeking justice off the pitch. His legal team is confident that the evidence will be enough to move forward with a full trial.

A case that could set legal precedent in football

If proven, the accusations against Nicolás Payarola could open the door to broader investigations into how financial advisors and legal representatives manage player assets, particularly in high-profile cases involving large sums of money. For Montiel, beyond the financial loss, the case also represents a personal betrayal — one that highlights the importance of transparency and trust in the inner circle of professional athletes.