Lionel Messi-China feud escalates as officials incredibly CANCEL two Argentina friendlies after being left furious by Inter Miami preseason bench saga

Despite travelling with the Inter Miami squad to Hong Kong, the Argentine icon did not play a single minute in an exhibition last week which left local fans furious. Now, the Beijing Football Association have cancelled Argentina's two friendly matches which were supposed to be held in China. The reigning world champions were scheduled to face Nigeria in Hangzhou and the Ivory Coast in Beijing in March.

Speaking to the BBC, the Beijing Football Association said: "Beijing does not plan, for the moment, to organise the match in which Lionel Messi was to participate."

Hangzhou sports bureau said, "Given the reasons that everyone knows, according to the competent authorities, the conditions for the event to take place are not met."

Fans in Hong Kong expressed their anger at Messi and The Herons' owner David Beckham during the game while there have been government calls for explanations as to why the supposed star of the show played no part in front of 40,000 expectant fans. Incidentally, the 36-year-old, who cited a groin injury as a reason for not playing in Hong Kong, made a cameo against J-League side Vissel Kobe just three days later in Japan.

The MLS side are set to play their final pre-season friendly against Messi's boyhood club Newell's Boys on February 16 before they kick off their season against Real Salt Lake on February 22.