The Beijing Football Federation canceled two friendly matches of Argentina after Lionel Messi was unable to play for Inter Miami in the match against Hong Kong.
Despite traveling with Inter Miami to Hong Kong, Lionel Messi did not play a single minute of last week’s match, angering local fans. Currently, the Beijing Football Federation has canceled two Argentina friendly matches scheduled to be held in China. The reigning world champions are scheduled to meet Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing in March.
Speaking to BB , the Beijing Football Association said: “Currently, Beijing has no plans to organize a match in which Lionel Messi will participate.”
Meanwhile, Hangzhou Sports Bureau said: “For reasons that everyone knows, according to the authorities, the conditions for the event to take place are not met.”
Fans in Hong Kong expressed anger at Messi and The Herons owner David Beckham during the recent match, while the government demanded an explanation as to why the 2022 World Cup champion did not participate. Take part in the match in front of 40,000 expecting fans. Incidentally, the 36-year-old, who was said to have suffered a groin injury and did not play in Hong Kong, appeared against J-League team Vissel Kobe just three days later in Japan.
Inter Miami are set to play their final pre-season friendly against Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Boys on February 16 before they kick off the season against Real Salt Lake on February 22.
