The controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s absence from a soccer match in Hong Kong shows no signs of ending, with many people in China venting their frustration over his absence on social media.
Comments by Hong Kong sports lawmaker Kenneth Fok accusing Messi and his US club Inter Miami of disrespecting local fans were among the top trending topics on Weibo on Wednesday. Another popular topic was partially titled “Messi’s confusion”.
Many commentators compared Messi’s attitude in Hong Kong to that in Japan, where a friendly is scheduled for Wednesday night.
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At a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, World Cup winner Argentina said he was feeling better and hoped to be able to play. Messi said he remained on the bench during the game against Hong Kong due to discomfort in his adductor muscle.
“How can I say that in Japan I’m smiling, but in China I’m sulking?” one of the most upvoted comments said. “He chose a side and showed his politics. Never come back.”
In another sign that this story is expanding beyond Hong Kong, a former editor-in-chief in China said: Global TimesNationalist tabloids questioned Messi’s failure to play. In a post on X, Hu Xijin asked why he did not shake hands with Hong Kong leader John Lee and asked for an apology to his Chinese fans.
Public anger could threaten Messi’s partnership with the Chinese brand. Hundreds of users flooded the comments section of Messi’s Weibo post promoting his Chi Shui He alcoholic beverage brand, with many calling on the company to cut ties with the Argentine.
China and Japan have a long history of bad blood, primarily due to Japan’s colonial invasions and atrocities during World War II. Japanese and Chinese government vessels regularly attempt to exclude each other from waters around disputed East China Sea islands. However, Japanese companies are some of the largest foreign investors in China, and China is an important trading partner.
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Foreign individuals and brands regularly face criticism from nationalist elements in China, and the backlash has intensified in recent years. In 2019, Christian Dior SE, Coach, Givenchy and Versace were criticized for treating Hong Kong and Taiwan as separate countries from China. Two years later, JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon apologized after quipping that his bank was likely to outlast the Chinese Communist Party.
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Messi, the face of Saudi Arabia’s tourism campaign, is scheduled to play against Vissel Kobe at Tokyo’s National Stadium from 7pm local time. In the final match of Inter Miami’s worldwide preseason tour, the American club won only one game, the one in Hong Kong.
There has been no official comment from the Chinese authorities, but the Hong Kong government said in a statement that authorities and soccer fans were “very disappointed that Messi was unable to play in the friendly and was unable to directly address fans as requested.” “
The event’s organizer, Tatler Asia, opted on Monday to forfeit government funds worth HK$16 million ($2 million) following the controversy. CEO Michel Lamounière blamed Inter Miami for the incident, saying organizers were told Messi was fit to play at the start of the match. Lamunière said the team ignored Messi’s calls to fans when it became clear he would not be taking part in the match.
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Messi, 36, last played in mainland China in June when he led Argentina to a packed Beijing Stadium in a friendly against Australia. His team is scheduled to return to China in March for exhibition games against Nigeria and Ivory Coast, according to the Argentine Football Association.
Inter Miami was founded in 2018 and is one of the new teams to join Major League Soccer in the United States. Former Manchester United FC, Real Madrid CF and co-owner LA Galaxy star David Beckham launched with his support.
Messi joined the club last year. Inter Miami’s controlling owner, billionaire Jorge Mas, said in a July interview that its value could reach $1.5 billion within a year.