Could Lionel Messi video open door to return to China? Social media hostility remains
- Video shows Argentinian citing his ‘very close and special relationship with China’, but plenty respond saying he is not welcome
- Argentina are scrambling to arrange friendly matches in March after a pair of games scheduled in mainland China were cancelled
A video posted on Chinese social media by Lionel Messi to explain his infamous Hong Kong no-show has prompted speculation over whether he could yet play in China for Argentina next month as originally scheduled.
With anger at boiling point in the days after Messi watched from the bench as Inter Miami beat a local select at Hong Kong Stadium this month, a pair of Argentina friendly matches due to take place in mainland China in March were cancelled by the host nation.
There has been speculation that the Argentine FA could yet try to repair relations in time to revive their planned matches against Nigeria and Ivory Coast, in Hangzhou and Beijing respectively. Other reports, however, indicate the world champions will arrange a pair of fixtures in the United States on roughly the same dates.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team are preparing for this summer’s Copa America in the US. A source indicated to the Post that administrators were under pressure to find a solution for the March international window.
Messi previously played, and scored, for Argentina in a friendly victory over Australia in Beijing last June, in what was the 36-year-old’s seventh visit to China.
His non-involvement in Hong Kong was attributed to a thigh injury. But some of those who have criticised him for not playing have suggested it was a deliberate snub to the city, particularly after he played for 30 minutes in Tokyo three days later.
Messi tackled those accusations in a two minute, 16 seconds video posted on Weibo, China’s equivalent of X, on Monday, although he stopped short of apologising for his failure to play.
“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,” Messi said. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even travelled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”
He added: “I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse.”
But that did not wash with some Weibo users, despite his assurance that he had “a very close and special relationship with China” and hoped to see fans in the country soon.
“Don’t come to China, don’t come to China, don’t come to China, China doesn’t want to accept garbage every day,” read one irate Weibo post.
Another said: “You are not welcome, please don’t come.”
One added: “Don’t even think about making money. It’s not a question of whether you can play or not, or whether you are injured or not, but your attitude. So arrogant and rude.”
Messi has been roundly condemned for his perceived sullen demeanour in Hong Kong, and drew further censure on social media for sinking his hands in his pockets while offering his video olive branch.
“Messi went online, put his hands in his pockets, swayed around, and said a long list, but did not say sorry,” wrote another Weibo user. “Is it so difficult to say the three words ‘I am sorry’?
“I really feel sorry for those real fans who bought tickets and spent time and energy to go to Hong Kong to see you and then watch you show your face … you really don’t deserve the love they give you.”
Messi’s words played rather better among Argentina supporters offering their verdicts on X, formerly Twitter.
“A 2.5 min apology and for what? For being injured,” said one fan. “He shouldn’t have apologised for anyone just because some crybabies couldn’t cope with not being able to watch him play. This is pathetic.”
Another person wrote that “Chinese need to realise when someone is injured they can’t play”, while someone else added: “The fact Messi needed to explain what an injury means is wild! The Chinese made a huge deal out of nothing.”
It is expected that Argentina will confirm their March friendly plans in the coming week.
