Lionel Messi took to one of China’s largest social media platforms on Monday (Feb 19) to address speculation over his non-appearance in a recent Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong.
Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians and fans reacted angrily when the 36-year-old Argentine forward came off the bench three days later in a friendly match in Tokyo.
“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,” Messi said in a video posted on Weibo.
“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 wouldn’t have even travelled to Japan or visited China, as I have many times. Since the start of my career I’ve had a very close and special relationship with China.”
Messi repeated the reason for his absence from the highly anticipated game against a local League XI in Hong Kong on Feb 4.
“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. 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 better a few days later and that’s why I played for a bit in Japan to prepare fitness wise for everything to come because I needed to play and get back up to speed.”
