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Football star Lionel Messi has recently come under fire for his absence at a showcase match between the U.S. team Miami International and the Hong Kong team, leading to controversy on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The match took place on February 4th at the Hong Kong Stadium, with fans eagerly anticipating Messi's performance. However, the Argentine player did not participate, leading to disappointment and speculation as to why he did not attend the event.

The controversy began when the Miami International coach, Matínez, explained after the match that Messi had "muscle inflammation" and that he hoped fans would understand the situation. Social media users were quick to respond, with some questioning the authenticity of Messi's health issues and others pointing to his recent success at the World Cup. One user commented, "Winning is not scary, but when someone is missing, it's embarrassing! Messi has not been interested in playing since winning the World Cup, and he lacks the professionalism that fans expect."

Other users criticized Messi's behavior, questioning his commitment to the sport and his team. One user wrote, "Messi since winning the World Cup, not interested in playing, escape from the battlefield, have no sense of duty." Another user commented, "He only cares about his own data and honor, which causes great harm to the team."

The use of Chinese characters in tweets and comments also sparked anger among fans, with one user writing, "In Hong Kong, unworthy of respect." Another user commented, "Lost respect for a good player," while another said, "Had high hopes but disappointed."

The Hong Kong government has expressed disappointment in the situation and announced that it will cut its sponsorship of the event by HK$16 million. Another user commented, "The Hong Kong government expresses its disappointment, and the sponsor may terminate the contract."

Despite the controversy, fans in Japan are looking forward to Messi's performance at the next match in Japan. One user commented, "I hope that Messi will perform well in Japan." Another wrote, "I'm looking forward to the next game."

Messi's absence has also led to speculation about his attitude towards China and Japan. One user wrote, "Anyway, I hope that Messi's absence is not due to disrespect for fans in Hong Kong." Another user commented, "What's his problem? Not that he doesn't like fans, only that he's rude." Many users questioned whether Messi's attitude towards China was different from his attitude towards Japan, with one comment reading, "I've always thought Messi loved China, but now I'm not so sure."

The situation has also led to negative comments about Messi's fans, with one user writing, "Messi's fans are always trying to defend him, even when he's wrong." Another user commented, "Messi's fans need to stop saying that the situation is not his fault."

In conclusion, Messi's absence at the Hong Kong showcase match has sparked controversy and disappointment among fans. The situation has led to criticism of Messi's attitude towards the sport and his team, as well as speculation about his relationship with different countries. It remains to be seen how the controversy will affect Messi's reputation and future career.