'Hongkong Noshow' Messi on China's Weibo: "Missed Due to Illness... Will Definitely Visit" Clarification

Lionel Messi Speaks Out on 'No-Show' at Hong Kong Match
"Suffered Adductor Injury... Will Visit China After Recovery"

Soccer star Lionel Messi personally explained the reason for his absence from the Hong Kong match.

The image shows Messi sitting on the bench throughout the match against the Hong Kong All-Stars held at Hong Kong Stadium on the 4th.
[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

On the 19th (local time), Messi clarified on his social networking service (SNS) Weibo that his absence from the Hong Kong match two weeks ago was due to a groin injury, not political reasons. He added, "If it had been for political reasons, I would not have gone to Hong Kong," dismissing the controversy. "As everyone knows, I always want to participate and play in every match and be there," he also said.

Messi also stated, "I have a very close and special relationship with China," and "I have done a lot of work in China. I will visit China again after recovering my health." Messi's explanation became a hot topic, ranking high on Weibo's search terms on the 19th, and within about an hour of posting the video, it received over 20,000 comments and 200,000 likes, showing the high interest of netizens regarding the 'no-show' issue.

Previously, on February 4th, Messi faced criticism for staying on the bench throughout a friendly match against the Hong Kong professional soccer All-Star team. Some fans who paid large sums to see Messi publicly demanded refunds, escalating the controversy. In fact, the Hong Kong match organizers refunded 50% of the ticket price to fans. Some local Hong Kong media criticized Messi's absence as mocking China and linked it to political reasons, while a Chinese diplomat issued a public statement criticizing Messi, which also became a topic of discussion.

Meanwhile, Messi, regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, has won the Ballon d'Or eight times and is recognized as an outstanding sportsman. Messi's Argentina national team is scheduled to play against Nigeria in Hangzhou, China, and against Ivory Coast in Beijing.