Messi asserts that his absence in Hong Kong was not driven by political motives, emphasizing his fondness for China instead.

Lionel Messi sought to mend relations with fans in both Hong Kong and mainland China on February 19, as he released a video on social media explaining his absence from an exhibition match earlier in the month. In the video, Messi clarified that his decision not to play was not politically motivated, aiming to dispel rumors and speculation that had emerged following the incident.

During the match between Inter Miami and a local team in Hong Kong on February 4, Messi remained on the bench, citing a groin injury as the reason for his non-participation. However, this decision sparked disappointment among fans and the local government. Matters escalated further when Messi played for 30 minutes in a subsequent match in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe, prompting criticism and accusations of political motives, particularly from Chinese media outlets such as the Global Times.

The situation worsened when the Hangzhou sports bureau canceled a planned friendly match between Nigeria and Argentina, led by Messi, citing undisclosed reasons. Responding to the growing controversy, Messi addressed the issue directly in a two-minute video posted on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. He reiterated his physical condition, explaining that he had an inflamed adductor that had worsened after playing a friendly match in Saudi Arabia, hence his inability to play in Hong Kong.

Messi emphasized his longstanding relationship with China, expressing his affection for Chinese fans and hoping for future opportunities to visit. Despite his efforts to clarify the situation and express goodwill towards China, it remained uncertain whether Messi's statement would repair the damage to his reputation in the Chinese market. The fallout from the incident led to the cancellation of additional planned matches involving Messi in Beijing, indicating the extent of the damage caused.

Furthermore, the organizer of the Hong Kong match, Tatler Asia, issued apologies to disappointed fans and offered partial refunds for ticket purchases, acknowledging the financial impact of Messi's absence on the event. Tatler Asia announced significant losses as a result of the refunds, underscoring the magnitude of the situation and its repercussions for all involved parties.