Argentinian Striker Mauro Icardi Banned from Driving for 73 Years
Footballer Mauro Icardi received a lengthy driving ban after his expired license was flagged by authorities, alerted by a video posted by his girlfriend.
Argentinian football player Mauro Icardi has been issued a 73-year driving ban after authorities discovered his driver's license had expired. The Ministry of Transport in Argentina launched an investigation after a video circulating online showed Icardi's girlfriend, China Suarez, hanging out of the window of a car he was driving.
The investigation revealed that Icardi's driving license had expired, leading the Ministry to issue a provisional disqualification. A statement on X indicated that Icardi would need to undergo assessments to determine his fitness to drive, emphasizing that road safety permits no exceptions. The ban is set to last until the end of the century.
Icardi responded to the ban via social media, criticizing the Ministry's actions and suggesting they focus on road improvements instead of issuing what he called a waste of time. In addition to the driving ban in Argentina, Icardi has also had his Italian driving license canceled, despite it being valid until 2029. He has publicly questioned the process by which his Italian license was revoked.
The player, who has been a free agent since leaving Galatasaray and was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, is currently challenging the suspension in an effort to have it lifted.
This incident adds to a history of off-pitch controversies for Icardi. He was previously involved in a high-profile scandal in 2013 shortly after joining Inter Milan. While being welcomed by fellow Argentinian Maxi Lopez, Icardi became involved with Lopez's wife, Wanda Nara. Lopez and Nara separated in late 2013, and Nara married Icardi a year later. Both Icardi and Nara have denied their relationship began before Nara's divorce from Lopez.
The perceived betrayal reportedly impacted Icardi's early career with the Argentine national team. Nara and Icardi separated early last year, and he began dating China Suarez. Icardi remains in legal proceedings with Nara concerning their divorce settlement.