20-2-2024 (HONG KONG) Lionel Messi, the star player for Inter Miami, sought to address the controversy surrounding his absence from a football match in Hong Kong earlier this month. In a video statement released on Chinese social media, Messi clarified that his non-participation was not due to political reasons and reaffirmed his strong connection with China.
Wearing a gray T-shirt and facing the camera, Messi stated that the reasons circulating for his absence were “totally untrue.” He explained that an inflamed adductor, not politics, was the cause of his non-participation in the match. Messi expressed his close and special relationship with China throughout his career, highlighting his involvement in interviews, games, and events in the country.
Messi, 36, has previously explained his absence in a press conference in Tokyo and through a written statement on China’s Weibo social media platform. The video statement is his latest attempt to clarify the situation. During the exhibition match, both Messi and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham were booed by the crowd in Hong Kong.
Speculation arose about Messi deliberately avoiding fans in Hong Kong and mainland China, especially after he participated in a match in Japan shortly afterward. The incident prompted Chinese sporting authorities to cancel planned friendly games between Argentina and Nigeria, as well as Ivory Coast.
Hong Kong politicians, including Regina Ip, called for Messi to be banned from the city due to his perceived “lies and hypocrisy.” The match organizer in Hong Kong announced a 50% refund to ticket holders, amounting to US$7.2 million, as compensation for Messi’s absence.
Messi’s latest video statement appears to have a calming effect, with Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of Global Times, expressing acceptance of Messi’s explanation. However, Hu noted that Messi’s image in China may suffer some damage despite the apparent sincerity in the video.
