Despite Messi's disappointing performance, the discussion of the matter does not have to escalate to political heights.
On February 7, 2024 local time, Tokyo, Japan, 2024 International Football Friendly Match, Kobe Victory Ship vs Miami International. Lionel Messi came off the bench. Figure ic photo
Text |Wu Lichuan.
As you can see, on the evening of February 7, Miami International and Kobe Victory played an exhibition match in Tokyo, Japan, and in the 59th minute of the game, Messi came on as a substitute. In terms of attention, this match may be no less than the 2022 Qatar World Cup final that Messi participated in. But in terms of presentation effect, it can be said that there is a world of difference.
is also an exhibition match, on February 4, the Miami International team played against the Hong Kong star team in Hong Kong, but Messi, who was used as a "selling point" before the game, did not play as scheduled, causing strong dissatisfaction among fans and shouting "refund". The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)** has issued two statements expressing "extreme disappointment".
After the game on the evening of February 7, Fok Qigang, vice president of the Hong Kong Sports Federation & Olympic Committee, issued a long message, hoping that Messi, the Miami International team, including the team's chairman David Beckham and the organizers would give an explanation to the public. This is the third time that Huo Qigang has spoken out about Messi's absence.
On the evening of February 7, Messi's official blog posted that he regretted that he could not play in the friendly match in Hong Kong due to injury, and hoped that one day we would have the opportunity to come back.
On the one hand, Messi sat on the bench in Hong Kong, and ignored the compensatory strategy of "interacting with fans and standing in front of the awards", and even avoided taking a group photo; On the one hand, Messi was dressed in Tokyo, and he interacted closely with Japanese fans outside the stadium, giving him jerseys and smiling faces. In contrast, the dissatisfaction and frustration of Chinese fans can be imagined.
The lead singer "can't say anything about it."
Chinese fans' love for Messi can be described as "bursting". About 40,000 spectators attended the Hong Kong Exhibition Match, and the momentum was only for one person: Messi.
When Messi has entered the end of his career after playing in five World Cups, Chinese fans hope to seize the few opportunities to enjoy the performance of the "King of the Ball" up close, and even have an emotional "chemical reaction" with him as a souvenir. It's understandable.
According to reports, this is Messi's second visit to Hong Kong after 10 years, and the organizer's publicity before the game has also done enough with "Messi" as the keyword. But after whetting his appetite, Messi was "invisible" at the most important moment.
It's like a high-profile concert, where the "lead singer" is not on it, but someone else "sings on it". This is also the main reason why many fans feel hurt and even deceived. What a fan from Xinjiang said is very representative: I flew 5,000 kilometers and spent so much money, and I felt deceived when I watched him.
Messi, who was known for being good at caring for the emotions of fans in the past, what happened? Why? At this time, it is not superfluous to say that Messi does not live up to the love of Chinese fans.
Returning to the context of the Hong Kong exhibition match, the reason why the public is so angry about Messi's absence that they want him to formally apologize is not that they are calculating, let alone unreasonable, but because of technical and ethical reasons.
The exhibition match was not rigorously organized, but was full of flaws and loopholes, which seriously undermined the expectations of fans. According to the Hong Kong exhibition contract, Messi must play at least 45 minutes, except for safety and health reasons. Therefore, even if he is under contract, Messi should fulfill his commitment with the team according to this requirement.
In the game on the evening of February 7, Messi, who "felt uncomfortable" and "had a groin injury", was like a different person, and told the world with his actions that he was still invincible. It's hard not to think about this kind of performance.
The nature of commercial matches is different from that of official competitions, and the excitement caused by whether key figures appear or not is also different. Since commercial games place more emphasis on the spirit of the contract or the promise to the fans, as a party to the contract, it is not possible to live up to the fans who have paid a huge cost. Otherwise, there is a suspicion of eating fans' meals and smashing fans. Since you have agreed to the invitation and people have come from all over the world, why do you want to do this again?
Football is never just a game.
The failure to incorporate contingency plans and workarounds into the contract is indeed a major lesson, which goes without saying. Rao is like this, echoing people's normal feelings, and reciprocating the peach, it is inevitable.
This may seem insignificant to a game, but it is actually the cornerstone of the ethical relationship between superstars and fans. This is because the performance of the stars on the pitch is of course very important, but how to maintain a spiritual connection with the fans off the pitch is at the heart of football culture.
In the 2022 Qatar World Cup, not only did Messi win the championship as he wished, but there were also many famous scenes. After England beat Iran 6-2 in the opening game of the World Cup, substitute Jack Grealish scored his sixth goal and waved his arms in a wave-shaped celebration that he had agreed with a young fan with cerebral palsy.
In last year's Beijing Workers' Stadium, Messi also showed a warm scene to the "fan brother". This kind of narrative is a masterpiece of the relationship between stars and fans.
What is Football? Football is never just a game, a score, but also a carnival that makes everyone on and off the field empathize. It pushes players to overcome obstacles with extraordinary courage, but it also inspires resonance in the world.
During this period, the fans' admiration and appreciation for the stars, and the stars' embrace and response to the fans, are consistent. In an atmosphere of equality and fraternity, the moment of glory will ebb, but the edifice of emotion will never collapse.
Of course, despite Messi's disappointing performance this time, the discussion of this matter does not have to rise to political heights. On sports, on business, on feelings, this is the "incision" of deliberations that cannot be bypassed. I hope that Messi and the relevant parties will apologize generously and get the understanding of the fans, so that this turmoil can dissipate as soon as possible.
Written by Wu Lichuan (**person).
Edited by Chi Daohua.
Proofread by Diyan Chen.