Lionel Messi's Hong Kong match controversy is now spreading across China. This means that the issue of the soccer star player will continue for the following days or months.
The Major League Soccer club Inter Miami's captain was supposed to play against the Hong Kong XI (also known as the Hong Kong First Division League) on Sunday, Feb. 4.
Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi sits on the bench before the start of the friendly football match between Inter Miami of the US's Major League Soccer League and Vissel Kobe of Japan's J-League at the National Stadium in Tokyo on February 7, 2024.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to play. Although he was in Hong Kong during the match, Lionel Messi was just watching from the bench.
Because of this, many fans in Hong Kong were outraged, criticizing the decision of the soccer player.
Lionel Messi's Hong Kong Match Controversy Spreads in China
As of press time, the topic "Messi's Mess" is already going viral on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. Among the people who are criticizing his no-show in the Hong Kong match is HK sports lawmaker Kenneth Fok.
He claims that Lionel Messi and his U.S. club Inter Miami are disrespecting fans in Hong Kong. Other critics also compared the behavior of the soccer star in Japan and Hong Kong, as reported by Time Magazine.
"Smiling in Japan but sulking in China, what can I say? He has picked a side and shown his politics. Don't come back again," said a Weibo user.
Aside from Weibo, Chinese users on X are also bashing Lionel Messi; claiming that the soccer superstar is quite energetic and looks fit while he's in Japan.
They added that his behavior in Hong Kong is very different since he didn't play and refused to participate in the handshake with the Hong Kong chief executive.
"Many Chinese fans bought high-priced tickets & went to HK specifically for Messi. They deserve a formal explanation & apology," argued a Chinese netizen.
Read Also: Lionel Messi's Debut Match With Inter Miami Could Cost Fans Up To $110K Per Ticket
Lionel Messi Regrets Not Playing in HK
A junk with the face of Inter Miami CF Argentine forward Lionel Messi on its sail sails across Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour on February 2, 2024, ahead of the friendly football match between Inter Miami CF and Hong Kong Team on February 4, 2024.
According to CNN Sports, Lionel Messi truly regrets not being able to play in Hong Kong. He said that "it's a shame" that he couldn't play in a friendly match against the Hong Kong XI.
He added that he always wants to participate and wants to be there, especially since it's a friendly game.
"Unfortunately this happens in football. In any game it can happen that you can't play," said the Argentinian footballer.
Messin promised that he would return and play a game in Hong Kong. However, his apology might not be enough to ease the anger of Chinese fans.
This issue could drastically affect Messi's partnerships with Chinese brands since hundreds of angry fans are flooding Weibo to share their disappointment.
Related Article: World Cup: Salt Bae Snubbed by Lionel Messi, Slammed by Fans After Breaking FIFA Trophy Rules
