Argentine forward and Inter Miami star, Lionel Messi, addressed accusations surrounding his absence from the February 4 exhibition match in Hong Kong, sparking a controversy that led to the cancellation of upcoming games in China. Messi denied claims of skipping the match for political reasons, clarifying that he was nursing an injury that hindered his participation. Despite missing the Hong Kong match, Messi took to the field in a subsequent game in Tokyo to prepare for future fixtures. The fallout from his absence has led to repercussions such as the cancellation of Argentina's friendly against Nigeria in Hangzhou. Fans, who expressed frustration over Messi's absence, were promised a partial refund for tickets to the Hong Kong match where he did not play due to injury. The incident has left supporters disappointed, with one going to extreme lengths by damaging an advertising display featuring Messi and his teammates. The situation has intensified following Messi's explanation, shedding light on the complexities surrounding his absence and the subsequent backlash.