Hong Kong no-show was due to injury, not politics insists Lionel Messi

Argentine football star Lionel Messi insisted Monday that his absence from a match in Hong Kong two weeks ago that drew the ire of spectators was not a snub but prompted by injury.

In a video posted on China's Weibo social media platform, Messi rejected chatter that his no-show was "for political reasons" and said if this had been the case, "I would not have travelled" to Hong Kong in the first place.

"As everyone knows, I always want to play and be in every game," he said.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner stayed on the bench throughout Inter Miami's 4-1 win against a Hong Kong select XI on February 4.

After fallout in China, Messi insists politics had nothing to do with missing game in Hong Kong https://t.co/RI8TA4ySUZ

— The Associated Press (@AP) February 20, 2024

His no-show drew boos and calls for refunds from thousands of fans who had shelled out large sums to see the World Cup-winning captain play in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

Widely considered the best player of his generation, Messi is a highly marketable sportsman who people around the world will pay top dollar to see, even in the twilight of his trophy-laden career.

Some nationalist politicians and outlets interpreted Messi's absence – and his subsequent appearance at a similar match in Japan – as a snub to China, without offering evidence.

Leo Messi posts a video explaining to fans why he could not make it to Hong Kong to play in Inter Miami’s friendly 🇨![CDATA[]]>🇳 pic.twitter.com/Cn7dwOT87n

— FIVE (@FIVEUK) February 20, 2024

Sports bosses in China subsequently cancelled two friendly matches featuring world champions Argentina.

Messi spoke in his video of a "very nice and very close" relationship with China, a country with which he said he had "done a lot of things" including matches and events.

His reason for not playing, the star striker said, was due to injury, specifically "inflammation of an adductor" muscle.

AFP