Lionel Messi, an Argentine player who currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), did not play in the exchange match in Hong Kong a few days ago, causing anger among fans in Hong Kong, China and mainland China. Miami International recently visited Japan and played an exchange match with the Japanese J League team Kobe Vissel, Messi came on as a substitute in the 60th minute of the second half, which made many Chinese mainland and Hong Kong fans angry, and even left a message on social ** asking Messi not to come to China again.
On the 7th, Messi came on as a substitute in the 60th minute of the second half.
In the friendly match with Hong Kong led by Messi, Messi sat on the bench and did not play the whole game, which made the 40,000 Hong Kong fans dumbfounded and roared to refund the tickets. Messi posted on the 7th through social **Weibo, regretting that he could not be able to play the friendly match in Hong Kong because of a groin injury, "I hope that one day we will have the opportunity to come back and give a game to fans and friends in Hong Kong." ”
However, in Inter Miami's exchange match with Vissel Kobe today, star Luis Suarez, who was also absent from the Hong Kong game, played as a starter today, while Messi came off the bench in the 60th minute of the second half and showed his footwork in front of 28,614 fans. The two sides played in a regular 90 minutes to form a 0-0 draw, and finally Miami International lost 3-4 on penalties.
Messi's expression was relaxed.
Messi's absence from the Hong Kong game, but playing in Japan, made some Chinese fans very dissatisfied, and they posted on social **Weibo to criticize Messi, "Don't come to China again." "The injury recovered in two days, a miracle of fundamental medical treatment", "Don't come to China, China does not welcome you".
Miami International head coach Gerrardo Martino said that during the training on the afternoon of the 6th, Messi was in good condition, and negotiated at that time and decided to let him play for about 30 minutes. Regarding Messi's absence from the Hong Kong game, Martino said, "I understand that Hong Kong fans are disappointed that Messi did not play, but it was difficult for him to play in that game. ”
Messi will go to China with the Argentine team and whether he will play is a chance for him to redeem himself.
In addition, the Argentine national team is expected to visit China in mid-March and play friendly matches in Hangzhou and Beijing, when Messi will travel to China with the Argentine team and whether he will play will be the focus again. Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" believes that Messi's trip to Hong Kong failed, but this time he was dressed in Japan, even though it may be due to the return to normal physical condition, but mainland fans may have different interpretations, and set off a greater wave of discussion in China. If the incident stimulates more Chinese fans to lose their fans**, it means that Messi and his team will face the risk of losing the huge market of China. "They may not have expected that a commercial competition will set off discussions in China's first arena beyond sports."