China’s Feud With Lionel Messi Turns Bitter As They Aim Dig At Argentina

A cruel jab at the Falkland Islands has extended China’s rage at Lionel Messi for missing Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Kong.

The Argentina captain was forced to sit out an exhibition friendly earlier this month against a select Hong Kong XI due to a hamstring ailment. Fans in Hong Kong were infuriated by Messi’s subsequent participation in the second half of Inter Miami’s friendly versus Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. Chinese football fans have unexpectedly gone to social media to voice their displeasure, with some even applauding Britain’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

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Chinese authorities are also unhappy with Messi and have cancelled Argentina’s friendlies, against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing, scheduled in China for March by the Beijing Football Association. Underneath a post by the Argentinian Embassy on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter (X), users vehemently asserted their support for British control over the Falklands.

One user wrote: “The Falkland Islands are an integral and inseparable part of the United Kingdom.”

Another user renounced their allegiance to Argentina’s sovereignty claim, stating, “I used to support the Argentinian claim to the Malvinas. Today, I solemnly declare that from now on, I will no longer accept that the Malvinas Islands belong to Argentina.”

The unexpected shift in sentiment has left many bewildered, with some users emphasizing the historical and legal foundations of British sovereignty over the Falklands. “The Malvinas Islands are part of the UK. They were before, they are now, and of course, they will always be in the future. Your country doesn’t have the capability to take them back either,” remarked another user, echoing sentiments of enduring British control.

Financial ramifications have also resulted from the dispute, as organisers Tatler Asia gave a 50% refund to disgruntled spectators who had spent up to £500 to watch Messi’s skill on the pitch. There is much conjecture about the reasons behind the strong pushback against Argentina; local newspapers and internet forums have speculated that Chinese authorities may have been involved.

Geopolitical tensions have been heightened by the controversy over Messi’s absence from the Hong Kong match, in addition to exposing fractures within the football community. The 2022 World Cup winner is preparing for his farewell friendly against his old team, Newell’s, on February 15 and is far from the upheaval in China. Real Salt Lake will play their opening game of the 2024 Major League Soccer season on February 21.