‘False stories’: Lionel Messi explains Inter Miami absence in Hong Kong

Messi missed the Hong Kong friendly to the disappointment of paying fans but then played three days later in Tokyo.

Messi controls the ball during the friendly soccer match between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi took to one of China’s largest social media platforms on Monday to address speculation over his non-appearance in a recent Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong.

Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians and fans reacted angrily when the 36-year-old Argentinian forward came off the bench three days later in a friendly match in Tokyo.