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The anticipated soccer game between China and Hong Kong had fans across the world on edge, but it was the absence of global superstar Lionel Messi that caused a stir on social media. On February 19th, Messi released a video addressing the controversy surrounding his non-appearance in the China-Hong Kong match and the subsequent accusations that he had registered his name as a trademark in China for product endorsements. The news sent shockwaves through social media, and Chinese netizens shared their opinions about the situation on Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform.

The controversy began when it was discovered that Messi's name had been registered as a trademark in China across various categories, including advertisements, education, and entertainment. The trademark was applied for by a company in 2010, and many Chinese netizens questioned why Messi had not spoken up about the issue sooner. Some users accused the Argentine soccer star of being hypocritical, particularly after he had previously criticized American basketball player Michael Jordan for registering his name as a trademark in China.

Some fans, however, showed their support for Messi and defended his decision to register his name as a trademark. They argued that it is common practice for celebrities to protect their names and images in this way, and that Messi had every right to do so. One user commented, "People need to respect the fact that celebrities have the right to register their names as trademarks. It's not just about money; it's also about protecting their image."

Others pointed out that Messi had not only registered his name as a trademark in China but also in other countries, including his homeland of Argentina. One user shared a link to an article that revealed that Messi had registered his name as a trademark in Argentina as early as 2007. The user questioned why people were only focusing on the Chinese trademark, saying, "Why are we just picking on China? Messi has registered his name as a trademark in several countries, so why is everyone making a big deal about this one instance?"

The issue also sparked discussions about the importance of respecting athletes' right to protect their image and reputation. One user argued that it was unfair to criticize Messi for registering his name as a trademark, especially in the face of the widespread practice of unauthorized use of celebrities' images and names in China. The user wrote, "People need to realize that athletes have the right to protect their image and reputation. If we want to see them continue to perform at their best, we need to respect their right to do so."

An image featured on Weibo showed a graphic with the message "The Power of RMB," referring to China's currency, the renminbi. The image implied that Chinese consumers now had the power to influence international celebrities' decisions and actions, including whether they should register their names as trademarks in China.

The controversy was not only discussed by Chinese netizens but also by fans across the globe. Some expressed their disbelief that Messi had registered his name as a trademark, while others defended his decision as a necessary step to protect his brand. One user tweeted, "I can't believe that Messi registered his name as a trademark in China. But at the same time, I understand that it's just a business decision."

In the video, Messi responded to the accusations, explaining that he had not been aware of the trademark registration in China until recently and that he had always respected and valued his Chinese fans. He assured his fans that he had no intention of disrespecting them and apologized for any misunderstanding.

Despite the controversy, many fans across the world remained supportive of Messi and were eager to see him back on the field. One user shared a message of encouragement, saying, "Keep your head up, Messi. Your fans are always behind you."

In conclusion, the trademark controversy surrounding Messi's name in China stirred up a range of opinions on social media, with some users questioning his motives, while others showed their unwavering support. Nevertheless, Messi's video response to the situation and his assurance that he has always respected his Chinese fans appear to have struck a chord with his supporters, as they continue to show their love and admiration for the soccer star.