MIAMI – Lionel Messi has denied that his absence from a friendly match in Hong Kong two weeks ago that angered China was a political snub, but was instead caused by an injury.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is idolised by fans in China but stayed on the bench during Inter Miami’s 4-1 win in a pre-season match against a Hong Kong select XI on Feb 4.
A near 40,000 sell-out crowd, who had paid upwards of HK$880 (S$151) to see the 36-year-old superstar in action, chanted “Refund!”, gave thumbs-down signs and booed Messi and the team’s co-owner David Beckham, himself a former Manchester United and Real Madrid player, after the final whistle.
Some nationalist politicians interpreted Messi’s absence as a snub to China after the Argentina great was fit enough to take the field for 30 minutes in a friendly a few days later in Japan.
In a video posted on China’s Weibo social media platform late on Feb 19, the World Cup-winning captain rejected claims that his no-show was “for political reasons”.
If that had been the case, he said, he “would not have travelled” to Hong Kong in the first place.
“As everyone knows, I always want to play and be in every game,” he said.
“Since the start of my career, I’ve had a very close and special relationship with China. I’ve done lots of things in China – interviews, games and events. I’ve also been there and played many times.”
He concluded the English and Chinese-subtitled video saying: “As always, I send good wishes to everyone in China, who I’ve always had, and continue to have, special affection for. I hope to see you again soon.”
His reason for not playing was due to injury, he added, specifically “inflammation of an adductor muscle”.
Fans on Weibo reacted quickly to the video, some in support of the former Barcelona forward.
“I believe the player I have always loved would never look at his fans with any kind of prejudice,” wrote one user, adding: “he always values every fan”.
“I still can’t understand how such a supreme footballer, the greatest of all time, can be pilloried online to the extent that he is considered not to love China just for missing a friendly match,” another fan wrote.
But not everyone was appeased.
“Turns out it’s still hard to say sorry after all,” read one Weibo comment.
“Give it a rest,” said another. “Run off to Japan and drink sewage.”
Messi starred when Argentina beat Australia 2-0 in Beijing in a June 2023 friendly, scoring in the opening minutes in front of an adoring crowd.
But upcoming Argentina friendlies against Nigeria in Hangzhou and African champions Ivory Coast in Beijing in March were cancelled after Messi failed to play in Hong Kong. AFP, BLOOMBERG
