China's feud with Lionel Messi over Inter Miami no-show takes bitter turn as fans claim Falkland Islands are British in direct dig at Argentina

The Argentina skipper was nursing a hamstring injury which forced him to stay on the bench during an exhibition match against a select Hong Kong XI earlier this month. However, Messi's subsequent appearance in the second half of Inter Miami's friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo enraged fans in Hong Kong. In a surprising turn of events, Chinese football enthusiasts have taken to social media platforms to express their discontent, with some even endorsing Britain's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.

Chinese authorities are also seemingly unhappy with Messi and have cancelled Argentina's friendlies, against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing, scheduled for March by the Beijing Football Association. Underneath a post by the Argentinian Embassy on Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter (X), some users vehemently asserted their support for British control over the Falklands.

One user wrote: “The Falkland Islands are an integral and inseparable part of the United Kingdom.”

Another user renounced their allegiance to Argentina's sovereignty claim, stating, "I used to support the Argentinian claim to the Malvinas. Today, I solemnly declare that from now on, I will no longer accept that the Malvinas Islands belong to Argentina."

The unexpected shift in sentiment has left many bewildered, with some users emphasizing the historical and legal foundations of British sovereignty over the Falklands. "The Malvinas Islands are part of the UK. They were before, they are now, and of course, they will always be in the future. Your country doesn’t have the capability to take them back either," remarked another user, echoing sentiments of enduring British control.

The controversy has also had financial implications, as organizers Tatler Asia offered a 50 per cent refund to disappointed fans who had paid up to £500 to witness Messi's prowess on the field.

Despite the controversy surrounding the Asia tour, Messi is gearing up for his final preseason friendly against his former club Newell's on February 15 before taking on Real Salt Lake on February 21 in Inter Miami's 2024 MLS opener. As for China, they will face Oman next in a friendly on December 29.