Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians and some fans They quickly condemned that the Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi played a game in Japan on Wednesday, after he was left on the bench a few days earlier in a highly anticipated friendly in Hong Kong.
Many in the financial center were dismayed Sunday when the 36-year-old star did not take the field during a highly publicized game of the Inter Miami before a sold-out crowd, and fans demanded answers and a refund.
The coach of Inter Miami, Gerardo “Tata” MartinoI declare that Messi He was not fit to play in Sunday’s friendly in Hong Kong, but on Wednesday he came on as a substitute in the 60th minute against the Vissel Kobe.
The state-controlled Chinese newspaper Global Times said the absence of Messi raised many questions about the differential treatment of Hong Kong.
“The party in Hong Kong became the only one of the six preseason friendlies of Messi on this trip in which he was absent. The situation (…) has magnified these doubts and suspicions about the integrity of the Inter Miami and of his own Messi“.
Some fans of China continental They traveled 12 hours from Xinjiang to Hong Kong to see Messi, wrote the Global Times, and the government’s and fans’ disappointment is “completely understandable.” “The impact of this incident has far exceeded the sporting arena.”
Lionel Messi apologizes for not playing in Hong Kong
Messi apologized to his Chinese followers in Weibo, a Chinese platform similar to Xjust before Wednesday’s game, saying it was a real shame he couldn’t play in Hong Kong due to injury.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I always want to play (…) especially in these games where we travel so far and people are looking forward to watching our games. Hopefully we can come back and play a game in Hong Kong“he wrote in Chinese and Spanish.
The Hong Kong match attracted 40,000 fans, who paid almost HK$5,000 (US$640) per ticket.. In Tokyoentire blocks of seats Japan National Stadium They remained unoccupied, with only 28,614 tickets sold.
In Hong Kong they do not forgive Messi
The Hong Kong Culture, Sports and Tourism Office stated in a statement that, like the fans, she was very disappointed by the fact that Messi I couldn’t play Hong Kong due to injury.
“However, three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan (…) the government hopes that the organizers and teams can give reasonable explanations.”
The sports legislator Kenneth Fok said the incident “rubbed salt into the wounds” of the fans of Hong Kong, while senior government advisor Regina Ip wrote in X that “the people of Hong Kong hates Messi, Inter-Miami and to the black hand behind them, for the deliberate and calculated snub to Hong Kong.”
Scott Wonga 26-year-old cadet pilot, said yes Messi play again Hong Kong He would think twice before buying tickets, in case he gets injured again.
“With all the negative reaction that the Inter Miamiin addition to Messi, I think he feels like he needs to make up for it. That’s why she promised to play again.”
Source: Ambito
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