What's happened
Lionel Messi's absence from a match in Hong Kong due to injury led to fan backlash, an apology, and the cancellation of Argentina's friendly matches in China. Subsequently, Argentina scheduled exhibitions in the US as part of their Copa America preparations.
Why it matters
Lionel Messi's actions have not only affected the football world but also led to diplomatic repercussions between China and Argentina. The cancellation of friendly matches and scheduling of new ones in the US showcase the broader impact of his decisions on international relations and sporting events.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post highlights the cancellation of Argentina's matches in China and the subsequent scheduling of exhibitions in the US. The AP News provides details on Messi's apology to fans and the impact of his absence on the football community.
How we got here
Lionel Messi's absence from the Inter Miami match in Hong Kong sparked controversy, leading to fan dissatisfaction and subsequent cancellations of Argentina's matches in China. His actions have highlighted the intersection of sports, diplomacy, and international relations.
More on these topics
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Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward and captains both Spanish club Barcelona and the Argentina national team.
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Hong Kong, officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, is a metropolitan area and special administrative region of the People's Republic of China on the eastern Pearl River Delta of the South China Sea.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country located mostly in the southern half of South America. Sharing the bulk of the Southern Cone with Chile to the west, the country is also bordered by Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the
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The Hong Kong Football Association Limited, often abbreviated to the HKFA, is the governing body of association football in Hong Kong. Its current chairman is Pui Kwan Kay and its Chief Executive Officer is Joaquin Tam.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
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