Lionel Messi: Chinese fury as superstar plays in Japan after missing Hong Kong match - BBC News

The superstar sat out a Hong Kong match just days before, sparking anger and conspiracy theories.

3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lionel Messi remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes of the Hong Kong friendlyBy Nicholas YongBBC News, SingaporeLionel Messi played in a Japan friendly after missing a match in Hong Kong, leaving Chinese fans seething and sparking conspiracy theories.

State media outlet Global Times accused the footballer and his club Inter Miami of "political motives" with the aim of "embarrassing" Hong Kong.

Messi remained on the bench throughout Sunday's match in the Chinese special administrative region, citing injury.

Wednesday's game in Tokyo led some fans to question whether he'd been injured.

Some 38,000 fans at the Hong Kong Stadium booed and demanded refunds when Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham addressed the crowd at the end of Sunday's match. They had paid up to HK$4,880 (£494; $624) to watch the 36-year-old Argentine superstar.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-68236902?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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