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7 months ago
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The absence of Lionel Messi during the Inter Miami friendly match in Hong Kong continues to cause discussion in China, where local authorities are demanding explanations.
At the time, there were whistles and boos. And a few days after this friendly match between the Hong Kong All Stars and Inter Miami, the absence of Lionel Messi continues to be talked about.
It was the Hong Kong Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau which published a press release to discuss the situation, recalling that “ three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan »during another friendly match.
The Chinese press also expressed its questions. “The match in Hong Kong was the only one of six matches on Inter Miami’s preparation tour where Messi did not play, observes the Global Times. This situation has amplified doubts regarding the integrity of Inter Miami and Messi himself. »
Messi has physical problems
It is thus the feeling of anti-Chinese persecution which dominates there, especially since the Inter Miami match attracted 40,000 spectators to Hong Kong, for an average ticket well over 500 euros. Curiously, only 28,614 tickets were sold for the match in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe, where the stands were far from full.
In this story, it must be remembered that Messi is hampered by pain in his thigh during this preparation, which forces his coach Tata Martino to take it easy on him in view of the MLS season, with also the Copa America 2024 in a corner of the head. Upon arriving in Japan, Messi said he was “disappointed” not to have been able to play in front of the Hong Kong crowd, and that he hoped another friendly match would be organized there in the years to come.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
