Football legend Lionel Messi cleared the air over his non-appearance in a recent Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong.

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“Good relationship” with China

In a video posted on Weibo, China’s social media platform, Messi addressed every speculation about his absence.

Representatives and politicians from China and Hong Kong were furious with Messi after Messi suited up three days later in Tokyo. 

Hangzhou and Beijing even canceled Argentinian national team games scheduled for next month.

The Argentinian forward quickly debunked the “false stories” about him sitting out due to political reasons.

“I’ve read and heard many things that have been said after the game in Hong Kong,” Messi said.

“I wanted to record this video and give you the true version so nobody has to continue reading false stories.”

“I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue.”

“Had that been the case I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China, as I have many times. Since the start of my career, I’ve had a very close and special relationship with China.”

Messi, 36, insisted that he sustained an injury right before Inter Miami’s friendly against a local League XI in Hong Kong.

“As I said in the press conference, I had an inflamed adductor, and I couldn’t play in the first game in Saudi Arabia, which is when I felt it,” Messi added.

“In the second game, I tried to play for a bit, but it got worse. Then on the day before the game [in Hong Kong] I tried to train and made an effort for all those who had come to watch training.

“It felt a bit better a few days later, and that’s why I played for a bit in Japan to prepare fitness-wise for everything to come because I needed to play and get back up to speed.”