Soccer flap: China cancels Argentina match
Lionel Messi's absence from Hong Kong game sparks anger, retribution in China.
Sports authorities in China have cancelled an upcoming soccer match between Argentina and Nigeria following a public backlash over star player Lionel Messi’s absence from a friendly match in Hong Kong last weekend.
The controversy comes amid rising political tensions between China and Argentina, which has elected a new president who is sharply critical of Beijing. It has also raised doubts about Hong Kong’s efforts to restore its image as a welcoming international city following China’s crackdown on democracy in the former British colony.
The Argentine national team was scheduled to play two exhibition matches in China next month, one against Nigeria in Hangzhou and another against the Ivory Coast in Beijing.
The Hangzhou Sports Bureau on Friday cancelled the Nigeria game and the Chinese Football Association announced it has suspended cooperation with the Argentine Football Association, putting in jeopardy Messi’s planned China tour next month.
“In view of the currently well-known reasons, it is understood from the competent authorities that the conditions for holding the event are not mature, and the decision has been made to cancel the event,” the bureau said in a statement.
Chinese social media has been awash with outrage after Messi, who plays for the US professional team Inter Miami, did not appear in a game in Hong Kong, the third stop of a pre-season international tour.
Despite assurances he would play, Messi was a game-time scratch which disappointed the 40,000 fans who had paid between USD $113 and $624 a ticket. The sold-out event was heavily promoted in Hong Kong with the “King of Football” appearing on billboards and featured on the side of a traditional junk in Victoria Harbour.
The 36-year-old star player, who led Argentina to a FIFA World Cup championship in 2022, was said to be suffering a “swollen and painful” muscle injury.
“Chants for Messi to get on the pitch transitioned into calls for ticket refunds, and a post-game speech by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was punctuated with loud booing,” Time magazine’s Koh Ewe reported.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino explained later he did not want to risk exacerbating Messi’s injury.
“We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness,” Martino told reporters.
But three days later, Messi came off the bench as a substitute in a game in Japan where he played well for 30 minutes. Anger among Chinese fans spread as posts on social media criticized Messi’s attitude and accused him of disrespecting China and playing politics.
Tensions between China and Argentina have risen recently following the election of new Argentine President Javier Milei, who has been sharply critical of the Chinese Communist Party and advocates closer economic and military ties with the US.
Prior to President Milei’s election, Argentina had been in talks to acquire new Chinese JF-17 fighter jets but will now purchase American-made F-16s from Denmark instead, according to reports.
In December, Beijing cancelled a USD $6.5 billion currency swap agreement that Argentina relies on to engage in international trade and meet obligations to the International Monetary Fund. Argentinian media reported the freeze would remain in effect until Milei demonstrates intention to engage with Beijing.
Last year, shortly after winning the World Cup in Qatar, Argentina had played a friendly match against Australia in Beijing. The game attracted tens of thousands of Chinese fans and set off a "Messi craze."
— William Roberts