Outrage in China as Lionel Messi opts to play in Japan following absence from Hong Kong game

Lionel Messi faced criticism and conspiracy theories after missing a match in Hong Kong and then playing in a Japan friendly. Chinese fans were angered by his absence in Hong Kong and accused him and his club, Inter Miami, of having political motives to embarrass the city. Despite citing injury, Messi played in Tokyo a few days later, which caused doubts among fans about the severity of his condition. During the Hong Kong match, Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami, faced backlash from the fans who demanded refunds. Last year, Messi received a warm welcome in Beijing when he played for his country in a friendly match, and he is also associated with several big Chinese brands. The Hong Kong government officials expressed disappointment over Messi's absence and called for an explanation. Match organizers, however, claimed that Messi was contracted to play unless injured and withdrew their application for a government grant. On Chinese social media, Messi regretted not being able to play in Hong Kong due to a groin injury and expressed his hope to return in the future. Many comments on his post were critical, accusing him of being dishonest and prioritizing money over fans.