At Inter Miami's 2024 Asian Tour, fans witnessed a series of hotly debated events, especially around the participation of Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi. The final match of the tour, Inter Miami vs. Vissel Kobe, took place on the evening of February 7, and Messi's appearance was particularly watched.
Prior to that, Messi was unable to participate in the match against the Star United team in Hong Kong, China, due to ill health, a decision that provoked widespread discontent among Chinese fans. They felt that Messi did not show enough respect and sincerity, especially after the careful preparations made by the Hong Kong organizers to welcome Inter Miami and Messi himself. Messi's unexplained and unapologetic attitude towards not playing has exacerbated the controversy.
Rookie Support Program Lionel Messi came off the bench on the trip to Japan, playing five of his six pre-season games and only missing the trip to Hong Kong, China
However, with the arrival of Inter Miami in Japan, Messi's form seems to have improved significantly. Not only did he take an active part in training, but he also enjoyed the likes of old friends and former Barcelona team-mate Andres Iniesta, which was in stark contrast to his situation in Hong Kong. Even more strikingly, despite being initially named as a substitute against Vissel Kobe, Messi ended up coming on in the second half and showed a positive attitude.
The incident not only tarnished Messi's image among Chinese fans, but also raised questions about his professional attitude. While the fitness of the athletes should be a priority, the stark contrast between Messi's absence in Hong Kong and his subsequent positive performances in Japan leaves the impression of confusion. This circumstance seems to indicate that there are differences in his attitude towards fans in different regions, which is not desirable on the international sports stage.
From a broader perspective, the incident highlights the challenges facing modern professional athletes, including how to balance personal health, professional responsibility, and public expectations. For Messi, while he is undoubtedly a legend in contemporary football, the Asian Tour experience reminds us that even great athletes must be careful in handling public relations, especially in a globalized sporting environment.