Messi Avoids Shaking Hands With Hong Kong Chief Executive

Messi was absent from the match against Hong Kong, drawing speculation.

Lionel Messi walks out of the players’ tunnel before the start of the match in Hong Kong on Feb. 4, 2024. Hui Tat/The Epoch Times

Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi avoided shaking hands with John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, drawing speculation that he is softly opposing the Hong Kong leader.

Messi, who plays for Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, did not play in the match against Hong Kong United on Feb. 4, incurring boos from a 40,000-strong crowd at Hong Kong Stadium.