Lionel Messi has addressed the controversy surrounding his absence from a recent friendly match in Hong Kong.
The 36-year-old Inter Miami forward clarified his situation amid speculation and criticism following his appearance in a Tokyo friendly just three days later.
Chinese media, and other top brass as well as fans expressed disappointment and frustration over Messi’s absence in the Hong Kong match, leading to the cancellation of two upcoming Argentina friendlies in China scheduled for March.
In a video posted on Weibo, Messi aimed to set the record straight, stating, “I’ve read and heard many things that have been said after the game in Hong Kong. I wanted to record this video and give you the true version so nobody has to continue reading false stories.”
The former Barcelona forward emphatically denied claims that his absence was due to political reasons or any other unfounded speculations. He reiterated the genuine reason for missing the Hong Kong match, citing an inflamed adductor that hindered his ability to play.
“As I said in the press conference, I had an inflamed adductor and I couldn’t play in the first game in Saudi Arabia, which is when I felt it. In the second game, I tried to play for a bit, but it got worse,” he explained. “Then on the day before the game (in Hong Kong), I tried to train and made an effort for all those who had come to watch training.”
The Argentina captain continued to describe his efforts to recover, stating that he played a bit in Japan to prepare physically for upcoming challenges. He expressed his commitment to maintaining a positive relationship with China, where he has frequently traveled throughout his career.
The Argentine forward’s video aims to provide clarity and put an end to the speculation surrounding his absence, emphasizing his dedication to his fans and the sport.
Due to the issue Chinese authorities cancelled two anticipated Argentina friendlies scheduled to occur in March. The world champions were slated to compete against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing. However, football authorities in the Chinese capital announced, “Beijing does not plan, for the moment, to organize the match in which Lionel Messi was to participate.”
Furthermore, the Hangzhou Sports Bureau revealed that the match it was meant to host has been called off, citing “reasons that everyone knows.”
Football fans now anticipate how Chinese officials will react to Messi’s excuse.