Anger in China following Lionel Messi's absence from a soccer game in Hong Kong

Lionel Messi, arguably the world's most famous soccer player, faced unusual hostility in Hong Kong as frustrated fans booed him for sitting out an exhibition match this week. Messi later explained that he had had a hamstring strain, which kept him on the bench throughout the game on Sunday. However, many fans remained skeptical of his excuse because Messi played about 30 minutes in Japan just three days after his absence in Hong Kong. The near-capacity crowd of 38,323 in Hong Kong had paid significant amounts to see their hero, some even paying up to 1,000 Hong Kong dollars, $125 or more. Some fans also witnessed Messi walking away with his hands in his pockets as John Lee, Hong Kong's chief executive, greeted Messi's fellow inter-Miami players individually and took hands with them. Regina Ip-Lao Sok-Yi, convener of the Hong Kong Executive Council and a legislative council member, criticized the soccer hero, stating, "...Messi should never be allowed to return to Hong Kong. His lies and hypocrisy are disgusting." She further expressed that Hong Kong people hate Messi, inter-Miami, and the black hand behind them for the deliberate and calculated snub to Hong Kong. Kenneth Fok Kai-Kong, a Hong Kong businessman, politician, and brother of the Hong Kong Football Association chairman, expressed his disappointment upon seeing Messi playing in Japan, describing it as pouring salt on Hong Kong's fans' wounds. Global People, a magazine controlled by the Chinese Communist Party's CCP official mouthpiece People's Daily, published an article questioning the background of Messi's team ownership, suggesting CIA involvement. Global Times, another CCP mouthpiece, offered a more sinister explanation in a February 7th editorial, implying external forces deliberately embarrassed Hong Kong amid its efforts to build a mega-economy. Despite these controversies, Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup before joining the Miami team, has not responded to the accusations. Some Chinese human rights activists hailed this behavior and ridiculed China's reactions. Christopher Reinage, a German sinologist and China Affairs commentator, jokingly speculated whether Xi Jinping was ready to sever diplomatic relations with Argentina in light of these events.