The attitude of Lionel Messi and his repeated absence during Inter Miami’s Asian tour pushed China to announce this Saturday that it would not host Argentina’s matches scheduled for March.
Inter Miami’s Asian tour ended on February 7 with a third defeat in four matches for the Major League Soccer club. Supposed to benefit the influence of American football, this trip made by David Beckham’s club was ultimately only a series of disappointments for local fans. Eager to see Lionel Messi evolve, some had paid a high price for their ticket. Others were just hoping to see him. But the Argentinian, officially plagued by physical problems, hardly played. Notably absent during the match against an All Stars selection from Hong Kong, the seven-time Ballon d’Or sparked a crisis in China, pushing the country to cancel the future tour of Argentina initially scheduled for next March.
L’Albiceleste had therefore chosen to go to China from March 18 to 26, with two matches to play against Nigeria and Ivory Coast. This should therefore not be the case since according to information relayed on Saturday by RMC, China has indicated that it is giving up hosting the world champion selection in 2022. And Lionel Messi is therefore the cause of Chinese anger. Although he did not come on against Hong Kong, he did, however, play a good half hour in the last match of Inter Miami’s Asian tour, which took place in Japan three days later, against Vissel Kobe. Minutes of play felt like an affront on China’s side.
The Argentine Federation weighed down
Quoted by the French media, the Beijing Football Association explained: “ Many football fans (…) recently asked us about Lionel Messi’s match in Beijing. After verification, Beijing does not currently plan to organize the match in which Messi was to participate. » No match against the Ivorians, nor any match against Nigeria since this match planned in Hangzhou has already been officially canceled on Friday evening: “ Given the reasons known to everyone, and according to the competent authorities, the conditions which would have allowed the event to take place are not met. »
In addition to the bad press for Inter Miami, it is Argentina which is now impacted by this Messi affair. The Argentine Football Federation has recently been working to develop its notoriety in Asia. Several contracts have also been signed with powerful brands in the Chinese market. If he had spoken for the first time about his state of health during the Inter tour, Lionel Messi might well have to break his silence again to try to calm things down. Unless he feels he doesn’t have to justify himself.
