How easy it is to destroy a personality cult with one decision. All the popularity Lionel Messi had gained over the past twenty years in China was transformed into contempt in a single day. By deciding not to play in a friendly in Hong Kong for Inter Miami on February 4, he broke the hearts of millions in what was until recently the most populous country on the planet. More than 40,000 spectators paid expensive tickets with an average price of 640 dollars, just so their idol would not appear on the field, and three days later he played in Japan against Vissel Kobe. The injury excuse was not convincing enough for the football fans there, and not only did Leo destroy the ideal of a superstar in the eyes of so many people, but he drew the wrath of the majority of the Chinese population against the Argentine state.Soccer star Messi is now the most hated man in China. Last week he didn’t play in Hong Kong where officials were watching, but he did in Japan, which made Chinese government angry. The most hateful action against him is to curse him suffering from all bad things, including death. pic.twitter.com/SjwXezbvJq— Bin Xie (@bxieus) February 11, 2024 After the state media Global Times accused the player and his club that Messi’s non-play was politically motivated with the aim of embarrassing Hong Kong, the whole situation took on new dimensions. First, China’s top government (which is an open secret) ordered the football association to cancel Argentina’s March friendlies against Nigeria and Ivory Coast in Hangzhou and Beijing. And that was just the beginning. According to the latest research, in the last few days there has been a sharp increase in the number of Chinese who believe that the Falkland Islands are an integral part of Great Britain and not Argentina. Historically speaking, China has always cultivated partnership relations with Argentina, and according to the assessment of the media in South America, there is a fear that, at least for a short period of time, the relationship between the two countries could become colder.This is supported by English media reports that the scenario of a puppet show recently held in Beijing was allegedly changed, just in light of Messi not playing in Hong Kong.”The Falkland Islands are an integral and inseparable part of the United Kingdom. We do not support Argentina,” said one Chinese fan, to which another responded, “I once supported Argentina’s claim to the Malvinas. Today I solemnly declare that from now on I will no longer accept the Malvinas as belonging to Argentina “.Messi in China pic.twitter.com/qjHJPFPhQL— sanjana (@sanjana_p7) February 4, 2024 Contempt for Argentina has been increasingly entering the Chinese popular culture in recent days, and real anti-Argentine propaganda is being conducted on social networks. The Argentine embassy’s X, formerly known as Twitter, account has been flooded with emphatic expressions of support for British rule over the Falkland Islands, often using the same expressions inherent in the Communist Party’s narrative when it tries to insist on Taiwan as part of China.Inter Miami tried to partially redeem themselves rather cheaply, celebrating the Chinese New Year in a club announcement, not only in English, but also in Mandarin. This did not “soften” the Chinese at all, since they mostly interpreted it as a populist gesture without the sincere intention of congratulating the holiday.##NAJAVA_MECA_7872884##Of course there is no doubt that the Chinese are truly disappointed with Messi and that this has further inflamed the relationship between Argentina and China, although it should be pointed out that the root of the problem probably lies in the relationship of the new Argentine president, Javier Milei, who is openly flirting with the US. Among other things, he bought new F16 fighter jets from Denmark, instead of China as previously agreed by the previous government. Also, Milei stopped the negotiations on joining BRICS.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Official Beijing’s stance on the Falklands has so far been pro-Argentine, and its diplomats have repeatedly emphasized their firm support for Argentina, in exchange for Buenos Aires’ support on the issue of Taiwan.The Hong Kong MP Regina Ip also openly expressed hatred towards the winner of eight Balon d’Or.”Messi must never be allowed to enter Hong Kong again. He is disgusting in his lies and hypocrisy. He has disgraced Hong Kong. That is at the heart of the whole plan.”
