16-2-2024 (HONG KONG) The absence of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi from Inter Miami’s Asian tour has triggered a major controversy during the team’s stop in Hong Kong. The escalating issue has led to a backlash in mainland China, resulting in the removal of Messi’s footage from China Central Television’s (CCTV) sports program “Total Soccer” and the weather forecast on CCTV-1.
The controversy has extended to the cancellation of Argentina’s friendly match in China next month, indicating an apparent official boycott of Messi. CCTV’s actions, including removing Messi’s presence from prominent broadcasts, suggest potential repercussions for his standing in the lucrative Chinese market.
Argentine coach Javier Alejandro Mascherano, keen to invite Messi to participate as an overage player in the Olympic men’s football qualification tournament, faces challenges due to Messi’s underwhelming performance with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Criticism from former PSG players and fans, citing a lack of commitment, has fueled tensions.
Chinese authorities have taken significant steps to erase Messi’s influence from broadcasts, raising questions about the long-term impact on his popularity in China. The alteration of CCTV-1’s weather forecast, which previously featured an advertisement with Messi endorsing a Chinese liquor brand, further signifies a shift.
“Total Soccer,” CCTV’s influential football program in mainland China, has undergone deliberate edits to remove Messi’s presence from the opening sequence. The program, airing since 2000, holds significant influence, featuring highlights, news, and top goals.
Observant fans noted that Messi’s endorsement of Chishuihe in the weather forecast was replaced by a cityscape of Guiyang. The ongoing controversy, labeled the “Messi Mess,” gained political dimensions as fans and internet users called for a boycott.
The repercussions extend beyond broadcast alterations, with the cancellation of friendly matches in Hangzhou and Beijing in March. The Beijing Football Association affirmed no plans to host matches involving Messi in Beijing. The controversy underscores the intersection of sports, politics, and commercial interests in the rapidly evolving landscape of global football.
