After fallout in China, Messi insists politics had nothing to do with Hong Kong no-show

Lionel Messi addresses absence in Hong Kong match, denies political motives, and expresses affection for Chinese fans.

Lionel Messi made another conciliatory gesture to fans in Hong Kong and mainland China on February 19 by releasing a social media video explaining why he didn't play in an exhibition match this month and insisted that there were no political reasons behind his decision.

Messi disappointed fans in Hong Kong and the city's government after he remained on the bench during a match between Inter Miami and a local team on February 4. Messi and Inter Miami said he had a groin injury, but the grievances have spread to mainland China after he played for 30 minutes in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe days later.

After the Tokyo game, China's state-run newspaper, the Global Times, even published an editorial highlighting a “theory” without evidence that suggested Messi's actions had “political motives" and that “external forces" wished to embarrass Hong Kong.

As criticism ramped up on Chinese social media, the sports bureau in Hangzhou cancelled next month's friendly between Nigeria and World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, in China for “the reasons known to all."

Also Read | China cancels second friendly with Argentina after Lionel Messi no-show

In a two-minute video posted on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Monday, Messi said he wanted to set the record straight.

“I've heard people say that I didn't want to play [in Hong Kong] for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,” Messi said in Spanish in a video with Chinese and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn't have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many times as I have.”