 "Lionel Messi once again says Hong Kong no-show was an injury, not political snub")
Lionel Messi has once again reiterated that his absence form a friendly match in Hong Kong two weeks ago, that angered China for allegedly being a political snub, was caused by an injury.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner stayed on the bench during Inter Miami’s 4-1 win in a pre-season tour match against Hong Kong XI on 4 February.
A near 40,000 sellout crowd, who had paid upwards of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars ($125) to see the 36-year-old superstar, chanted "Refund!", gave thumbs-down signs and booed Messi and the team’s co-owner David Beckham following the final whistle.
Read | **Drama in Hong Kong over Messi's no-show a reminder of why fans matter**
Some nationalist politicians and media interpreted Messi's absence as a snub to China after the Argentina great was fit enough to take the field for 30 minutes in a friendly a few days later in Japan .
After the Tokyo game, China’s state-run newspaper, the Global Times, published an editorial highlighting a “theory” that suggested Messi’s actions had “political motives" and that “external forces" wished to embarrass Hong Kong.
In a video posted on Weibo social media platform, the World Cup-winner rejected claims that his no-show was “for political reasons”.
“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play (in Hong Kong) for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,” Messi said in Spanish in a video with Chinese and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”
A day before the Hong Kong match, Messi said he tried to play during a training session with fans watching on. “I did all I could,” he said. “But I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse.”
Near the end of the video, he said he “always had and continue to have special affection for" fans in China, and said he hopes to see them again soon.
His reason for not playing was due to injury, he said, specifically “inflammation of an adductor” muscle.
Fans on Weibo reacted quickly to the video, some in support of Messi.
“I believe the player I have always loved would never look at his fans with any kind of prejudice,” wrote one user, adding, “he always values every fan.”
“I still can’t understand how such a supreme footballer, the greatest of all time, can be pilloried online to the extent that he is considered not to love China just for missing a friendly match,” another fan wrote.
Not everyone was appeased.
“Turns out it’s still hard to say sorry after all,” read one Weibo comment.
“Give it a rest,” said another. “Run off to Japan and drink sewage.”
As criticism mounted, the sports bureau in Hangzhou cancelled next month’s friendly between Nigeria and Argentina, captained by Messi, in China for “the reasons known to all."
Argentina had also lined up another friendly against Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast in Beijing next month. But following the recent fallout, the Beijing Football Association said they had no plans to organise matches involving Messi.
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