Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: February 20, 2024, 00:01 IST
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Lionel Messi made one other conciliatory gesture to followers in Hong Kong and mainland China on Monday by releasing a video on social media to elucidate why he did not play in an exhibition match this month, and insisted that there have been no political causes behind his determination.
HONG KONG: Lionel Messi made one other conciliatory gesture to followers in Hong Kong and mainland China on Monday by releasing a video on social media to elucidate why he didn’t play in an exhibition match this month, and insisted that there have been no political causes behind his determination.
Messi upset followers in Hong Kong and the town’s authorities after he remained on the bench throughout a match between Inter Miami and an area group on Feb. 4. Messi and Inter Miami mentioned he had a groin harm, however the grievances have unfold to mainland China after he performed for half-hour in Tokyo in opposition to Vissel Kobe days later.
After the Tokyo sport, China’s state-run newspaper, the Global Times, even revealed an editorial highlighting a “theory” with out proof that steered Messi’s actions had “political motives” and that “external forces” wished to embarrass Hong Kong.
As criticism ramped up on Chinese social media, the sports activities bureau in Hangzhou canceled subsequent month’s pleasant between Nigeria and World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, in China for “the reasons known to all.”
In a two-minute video posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Monday, Messi mentioned he needed to set the file straight.
“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play (in Hong Kong) for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,” Messi mentioned in Spanish in a video with Chinese and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”
Messi mentioned he didn’t play as a result of he had an infected adductor that had develop into worse after taking part in one other pleasant in Saudi Arabia.
A day earlier than the Hong Kong match, Messi mentioned, he additionally tried to play in entrance of the followers that got here to look at Inter Miami’s coaching session.
“I did all I could,” he mentioned. “But I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse.”
He mentioned he performed in Japan as a result of his situation had improved by then.
The Argentina star mentioned he has had “a very close and special relationship with China.”
Near the top of his video, he mentioned he “always had and continue to have special affection for” followers in China, and mentioned he hopes to see them once more quickly.
It was unclear whether or not Messi’ newest try to handle the PR catastrophe would assist him return to the China market anytime quickly. Apart from the sport in Hangzhou, World Cup champion Argentina had additionally lined up one other pleasant in opposition to lately topped African champion Ivory Coast in Beijing subsequent month.
But following the current fallout, the Beijing Football Association mentioned the town had no plans to arrange matches involving Messi.
The organizer of the Hong Kong sport, Tatler Asia, earlier this month apologized to those that have been upset by Messi’s absence and provided a 50% refund to those that bought sport tickets from the official channels.
Tickets for the sport value as much as 4,880 Hong Kong {dollars} ($624) every.
In its assertion, Tatler Asia mentioned it might refund 56 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($7.2 million) in complete, leading to a lack of 43 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($5.5 million). Before the refund, its web earnings stood at 13 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($1.7 million), the organizer mentioned.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
