Argentina's friendly match in China cancelled due to backlash against Messi

The schedule for the friendly match that 2022 FIFA World Cup champion Argentina was set to play against Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month has been shelved following growing reactions after Messi did not play in an exhibition match in Hong Kong last week.

Messi, who did not play in the exhibition match between Inter Miami and a Hong Kong select team, drew the ire of Chinese football fans after he took the field for 30 minutes against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, the capital of Japan, on Wednesday.

In a statement from the Hangzhou Sports Bureau, it was reported that due to "known reasons," the conditions were not suitable for the exhibition match between Argentina and Nigeria to be played, and the match was cancelled.

It has been reported in the press that the Argentine Football Association management is searching for an alternative city to play against Nigeria.

There has been no change yet in the planning for the exhibition match that Ivory Coast is set to play against Argentina in the capital, Beijing.

It had been announced that football fans who bought tickets for the exhibition match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong regional team would be refunded half of the fee they paid.

News Source: 12punto