Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi controls the ball in the course of the pleasant soccer match between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami CF on the National Stadium on February 7, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.
| Photo Credit: AP
Lionel Messi made one other conciliatory gesture to followers in Hong Kong and mainland China on February 19 by releasing a social media video explaining why he did not play in an exhibition match this month and insisted that there have been no political causes behind his resolution.
Messi dissatisfied followers in Hong Kong and town’s authorities after he remained on the bench throughout a match between Inter Miami and a neighborhood group on February 4. Messi and Inter Miami mentioned he had a groin damage, however the grievances have unfold to mainland China after he performed for half-hour in Tokyo in opposition to Vissel Kobe days later.
After the Tokyo recreation, China’s state-run newspaper, the Global Times, even revealed an editorial highlighting a “theory” with out proof that advised Messi’s actions had “political motives” and that “external forces” wished to embarrass Hong Kong.
As criticism ramped up on Chinese social media, the sports activities bureau in Hangzhou cancelled subsequent month’s pleasant between Nigeria and World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, in China for “the explanations identified to all.”
Also Read | China cancels second friendly with Argentina after Lionel Messi no-show
In a two-minute video posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Monday, Messi said he wanted to set the record straight.
“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play [in Hong Kong] for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,” Messi said in Spanish in a video with Chinese and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”
Messi said he didn’t play because he had an inflamed adductor that had become worse after playing another friendly in Saudi Arabia.
A day before the Hong Kong match, Messi said, he also tried to play in front of the fans that came to watch Inter Miami’s training session.
“I did all I could,” he said. “But I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse.”
He said he played in Japan because his condition had improved by then.
The Argentina star said he has had “a very close and special relationship with China.”
Near the end of his video, he said he “always had and continue to have special affection for” followers in China, and mentioned he hopes to see them once more quickly.
It was unclear whether or not Messi’ newest try to handle the PR catastrophe would assist him return to the China market anytime quickly. Apart from the sport in Hangzhou, World Cup champion Argentina had additionally lined up one other pleasant in opposition to lately topped African champion Ivory Coast in Beijing subsequent month.
But following the current fallout, the Beijing Football Association mentioned town had no plans to organise matches involving Messi.
The organiser of the Hong Kong recreation, Tatler Asia, earlier this month apologised to those that have been dissatisfied by Messi’s absence and provided a 50% refund to those that bought recreation tickets from the official channels.
Tickets for the sport value as much as 4,880 Hong Kong {dollars} ($624) every.
In its assertion, Tatler Asia mentioned it could refund 56 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($7.2 million) in complete, leading to a lack of 43 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($5.5 million). Before the refund, its web revenue stood at 13 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($1.7 million), the organiser mentioned.
Source: www.thehindu.com
