Lionel Messi took to one of Chinas largest social media platforms on Monday to address speculation over his non-appearance in a recent Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong.
"Ive 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 in footage posted on Weibo.
"As everyone knows, I always want to play. I want to play in every match. I heard that I didnt want to play because of politics and many other things that have nothing to do with this. If that were the case I wouldn’t have traveled to Japan or to China like I have so many times in my career."
從職業生涯伊始，我就與中國有著非常緊密和特別的緣分，在這裡的採訪、比賽和活動，讓我留下美好回憶，作為球員，我也為巴塞羅那足球俱樂部和國家隊在這裡多次參賽。正如我在新聞釋出會上所說，真實的情況是，我有內收肌炎症，在沙特的第一場友誼賽賽前就感覺到了，所以沒能參加比賽，在第二場（在沙特的）比賽中，我嘗試上場比賽了一會兒，但情況變得更糟。
"Ive always had a very close relationship with China. Ive done so many things with China like interviews, (friendly) matches, events and games with Barcelona and the Argentina national team. Like I said during the press conference that I gave: I had inflammation in my adductor and I couldnt play. I felt it in the first game that I played in Saudi Arabia and I tried to play in the second game (in Saudi) but it felt worse."
"I tried the day before to take part in that training session to be there for all those people. I did what I could and I took part in the clinic with all those kids, but I honestly couldn’t play because I felt discomfort. After a few days had passed I felt a little better and that’s why I played a bit in the friendly in Japan in order to continue improving physically and continue to prepare for what’s coming next for me. I had to play to get some rhythm back."
"Ive already said this but I felt it was important to repeat it after everything that has been said. I want to send my love to the people of China, a (feeling) Ive always had with them. I hope we can see each other again soon."