Lionel Messi has tried to clarify his failure to play in a pleasant match in Hong Kong in a video on Chinese social media – in response to a rising backlash over his absence.
Messi stayed on the bench during Inter Miami’s exhibition match in opposition to a neighborhood workforce final week as a result of a groin harm.
He performed in Japan days after that no-show, angering his Chinese fanbase and authorities.
In a video posted on Weibo, he appealed on to his followers in mainland China and Hong Kong, saying his absence was not as a result of political causes.
“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,” he stated.
“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue.
“Had that been the case I would not have even travelled to Japan or visited China, as I’ve many occasions.
“Since the start of my career I’ve had a very close and special relationship with China.”
The 36-year-old repeated the explanation for his absence from the extremely anticipated sport – tickets for which value as much as 4,880 Hong Kong {dollars} (£500) every.
“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,” he stated.
“In the second game I tried to play for a bit, but it got worse. 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.
“It felt a bit higher just a few days later and that is why I performed for a bit in Japan to organize fitness-wise for all the pieces to come back as a result of I wanted to play and get again up to the mark.”
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Organisers of the Hong Kong pleasant, Tatler Asia, introduced a 50% refund on tickets following criticism from the Hong Kong authorities.
In an editorial, the Chinese state-backed nationalist tabloid Global Times urged Messi and Inter Miami had “political motives” and that “external forces” have been making an attempt to embarrass Hong Kong.
The Argentinian footballer is taken into account to be one of many biggest gamers of all time – even perhaps the perfect ever. In 2022, he gained the World Cup with Argentina. He has additionally gained the Ballon d’Or, an annual award for that 12 months’s greatest participant, eight occasions.
After the no-show in Hong Kong, Beijing Football Association cancelled Argentina’s pleasant in opposition to Ivory Coast, which was scheduled to be held within the Chinese capital in March.
Hangzhou’s sports activities authorities additionally cancelled a pleasant between Argentina and Nigeria.
Source: information.sky.com”