Inter the Miami’s Lionel Messi plays in the friendly soccer game with Vissel Kobe, and Inter Miami at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on February 7.
Hong Kong CNN:
A city located in mainland China has pulled out of plans to host a soccer tournament with Argentina’s national team due to an increasing backlash within China against the nation’s most famous athlete Lionel Messi.
Messi was the subject of a torrent of resentment after being left at the sidelines for an exhibition game with the Major League Soccer team Inter Miami in Hong Kong.
Cheered, Booed And Demanded:
An overwhelming audience of around 40,000 people watched the match at Hong Kong – many of were hoping to witness the man widely considered to be the best player in the world, however, the match ended in a sour tone as fans cheered, booed and demanded refunds when the player failed to step onto the field.
Messi has said that the he would like to play but was not allowed to play on the field because of injuries. The injury hasn’t stopped from a flood of negative comments coming to him from the Chinese web.
Indication of Chinese Frustration:
The latest indication of Chinese frustration with Messi was on Friday after Messi’s Hangzhou Sports Bureau said that it will no longer be hosting an international friendly game with Argentina and Nigeria scheduled to take place in the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.
In no way did they mention the scandal nearly a week ago Hangzhou Sports Bureau said in a message on WeChat that the match had been pulled “in light of a reason everybody knows.”
“The circumstances to hold this occasion aren’t yet settled and we have concluded that the occasion should be cut short,” it added.
The game played in Hangzhou was just one of two that the Argentina team had planned to take part in China during March.
Also, it is scheduled to match Ivory Coast at the Beijing Workers’ Sport Complex.
A Nightmare For Public Relations:
Barcelona Messi did not make it to the bench as a substitute when Inter Miami played the Hong Kong team on February 4 despite multiple demands from Tatler Asia and the Hong Kong government and organizer, Tatler Asia, for Messi to be allowed on the field.
The coach said later that Messi was hurt and been advised by his medical staff at the very last moment not to participate. Messi afterwards said that this has been an “shame,” and that was keen to take part.
The Following Day In a Friendly Match:
His appearance for 30 minutes during a friendly game the following day in a friendly match against Vissel Kobe from Japan just further irritated Chinese fanatics, with a number of including Beijing-friendly politicians from Hong Kong – likening it as an insult to China.
Messi Currently Faces:
Messi currently faces an embarrassing public relations problem in one of the most lucrative markets for sports which, up until this point the player had enjoyed a wide fame.
Tatler XFEST Announced:
The following day, Hong Kong match organizer Tatler XFEST announced it will pay back 50% of ticket prices for spectators in a decision it claimed will cost the business $7.1 million, leaving it in the position of having to pay $5.5 million of loss.
Initiatives The Power Of People:
“Our goal was to produce the most memorable second an element of the initiatives of the power of the people to demonstrate the world what the significance and power of Hong Kong is.. The dream was quashed today for us as well as all the people who purchased tickets to watch Messi in action,” said the company that produces Tatler themed magazines throughout Asia.
