The Messi Effect: Daily Soccer Podcast10 Feb 2024

China escalates the Messi controversy by canceling Argentina game

The international incident started by Messi not playing in Hong Kong has escalated, and now involves Argentina.A city in mainland China has decided to cancel its plans to host a highly anticipated soccer match featuring Argentina's national team, amidst mounting criticism within the country aimed at star player Lionel Messi.The backlash against Messi surged following his benching during an exhibition game involving his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami, in Hong Kong. The match, which drew a sellout crowd of 40,000, left many disappointed fans clamoring for refunds as Messi failed to take the pitch, prompting jeers and frustration.

Despite Messi's explanation of wanting to play but being sidelined due to injury, the torrent of criticism on the Chinese internet has remained relentless. The latest manifestation of Chinese discontent emerged when the Hangzhou Sports Bureau announced on Friday the cancellation of a planned friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center.Although not explicitly mentioning the previous saga, the Hangzhou Sports Bureau cited immature conditions for hosting the event, hinting at the widely known reason for the cancellation. This decision affects one of two games slated for Argentina's team in China in March, with the other match scheduled against Ivory Coast at the Beijing Workers' Sport Complex.

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