Messi’s absence in Hong Kong match may be politically motivated: Global Times

The absence of Argentina football star Lionel Messi in Hong Kong’s match may be politically motivated and involve foreign forces aiming to hit at the city’s mega event economy, according to China’s state-backed newspaper Global Times. 

In an editorial piece published late Wednesday, the Times said one possibility is that foreign forces are trying to use this blow to embarrass Hong Kong and pointed out that Western media has been using the World Cup winner’s no-show to slander the city at such perfect timing. 

It said the Hong Kong government handled this controversy with the greatest sincerity and citizens*have exercised restraint*, displaying a high level of civility and openness. 

“The stage is all set and the guests aren’t performing well. It will only be a buzzkill at most for the host,” it wrote. 

“The ones who should be embarrassed are Messi, Inter Miami and Tatler. Everyone knows what attitudes and performances to expect in an ordinary football friendly game.” 

The paper also said Messi’s absence posed many questions on the differential treatment for Hong Kong. 

“The match in Hong Kong became the only one in Messi’s six pre-season friendly matches on this trip where he was absent. The situation … has magnified these doubts and suspicions on the integrity of Inter Miami and Messi himself.” 

Some mainland fans traveled 12 hours from Xinjiang to Hong Kong to see Messi, it also wrote, with the disappointment of the government and fans “entirely understandable. The impact of this incident has far exceeded the realm of sports.” 

Just ahead of the Japan game on Wednesday, Messi apologized to his Chinese fans on Weibo, saying it was a real shame he was not able to play in Hong Kong due to an injury. 

“Anyone who knows me knows that I always want to play … especially in these games where we travel so far and people are excited to see our games. Hopefully we can come back and play a game in Hong Kong,” he wrote in Chinese and Spanish. 

Messi came onto the pitch in the 60th minute and played for more than half an hour. His side ultimately lost 4-3 in penalty shootout against Vissel Kobe. 

Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau said in a statement that, like the fans, it was very disappointed that Messi could not play in the city due to injury. 

“However three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan … the government hopes the organizers and teams can provide reasonable explanations.” 

(With inputs from Reuters)