Lionel Messi defends HK absence as China backlash continues

Lionel Messi has emphasised the “special” connection he shares with China amid ongoing scrutiny from Chinese fans following his absence from a game in Hong Kong.

In a video posted on the social media platform Weibo, Messi attributed his non-participation in the match on February 4th to an injury.

Despite missing the Hong Kong friendly, Messi subsequently played in Japan, a move that provoked outrage among his Chinese fanbase, where he is extremely popular.

The backlash against the 36-year-old Argentine icon has persisted for weeks, leading Chinese officials to cancel two planned Argentina friendlies scheduled for March.

The matches against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing were both called off. Football authorities in Beijing stated, “Beijing currently has no plans to host the match involving Lionel Messi.”

Similarly, the Hangzhou sports bureau cited “the reasons that everyone knows” for the cancellation of the scheduled match in their city.

State media outlet Global Times accused the footballer and his club Inter Miami of “political motives” with the aim of “embarrassing” the Chinese Special Administrative Region.

But in the Weibo video posted on Monday, the Argentine rejected claims that he skipped play for “political reasons” as “totally untrue”. Stressing his “special affection” for the people of China, he added: “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even travelled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”

“I tried to train and made an effort for all those who’d come to watch training,” he said.

“I did all I could. I also went along to the football clinic with all the kids. But I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse.”

Messi’s Weibo post is his second attempt at explaining his absence from the match.