Netizens question Messi’s third response to HK match controversy
Amidst a brewing controversy, Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi posted a video on China’s X-like social media platform Sina Weibo on Monday night, responding for the third time to his failure to take the field during a match in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), stating that he was “truly unable to play due to injury,” triggering heated debate among netizens in the comments section.
In the video, Messi explained that he did not want to miss the game, but had to due to an inflammation of his adductor muscle, and expressed a special affection for Chinese fans, saying he hopes they will meet again soon.
“I heard someone say that I may not want to participate in the competition because of political reasons or many other reasons, but none of this is true. If it were true, I wouldn’t even go to Japan, or visit China multiple times like before. From the beginning of my career, I have had a very close and special connection with China,” Messi said in the video.
Soccer reporter Li Xuan raised questions about Messi’s response, including why Messi was responding again after so many days had already passed since the match. “There is no new information, and Messi had already said the same thing in Japan as well. Is it necessary to respond again in a video? After this video was released, almost instantly, the top comments were all lengthy expressions, with many speaking up for him. Was this prearranged?” Li said.
Following the video response on Monday, netizens engaged in intense debate in the comments section, with some not buying Messi’s explanation, saying that his delayed response was an attempt to salvage the Chinese market, while others understood that injuries are common among athletes.
“If it is really because of injury that he couldn’t play, then it is understandable. I hope Messi can show his true strength when he comes to China next time,” a fan said. However, some netizens are not buying it, saying that Messi’s response video was not of high quality and seemed more like a video edited for marketing purposes for Chinese fans.
The Messi incident indirectly impacted his Chinese sponsors, including the recently signed Chishuihe baijiu liquor.
On January 11, Chishuihe baijiu liquor, endorsed by Messi, launched a signature blessing edition on e-commerce platform JD.com, along with a marketing campaign offering Messi-signed jerseys with baijiu purchases. Following the incident, many fans flooded the brand’s Weibo account, demanding the brand terminate its contract with Messi.
Currently, Chishuihe baijiu liquor has quietly removed its products from JD.com, leaving an empty store. On Sina Weibo, Chishuihe baijiu liquor’s official account still has the video with Messi, while other posts related to Messi have been hidden.