Lionel Messi has been faced with huge backlash following a video explaining why he didn't play for Inter Miami in a Hong Kong friendly.
Inter went on a pre-season tour of the Far and Middle East ahead of the new MLS season, including a fixture against a Hong Kong XI on 4 February.
The Herons ran out 4-1 winners, with Robert Taylor, Lawson Sunderland, Leonardo Campana and Ryan Sailor all on target.
Messi, however, was an unused substitute and did not enter the fray.
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It was later communicated that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was suffering from a muscle injury.
However, Messi ended up playing a friendly in Japan days later, much to the anger of 38,323, fans who had paid up to £500 to be in attendance at the Hong Kong Stadium.
With Messi not featuring, Inter were accused of breaking a contract clause and there have even been calls for him to be banned from Hong Kong.
Messi did address the matter and called it a "shame" that he was unable to play.
He then felt the need to add a further explanation in an video which was shared on Chinese social media site Weibo.
"I've read and heard many things that have been said after the game in Hong Kong. I wanted to record this video and give you the true version so nobody has to continue reading false stories," Messi said.
"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 travelled 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.
"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," he said.
"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."
As per Esport3, the video racked up over 2 million interactions but the angry from fans has still remained.
The Hong Kong Government slated Messi's no-show, leading to the organisers,
Tatler Asia, announced a 50% refund on tickets.
In addition, two upcoming Argentina friendlies set to be played in China were both cancelled.
Topics: Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, MLS
Josh Lawless