(Yicai) Feb. 20 -- Argentine footballer Lionel Messi said he did not play in a friendly match against a team in Hong Kong recently because of an injury, kicking off fresh debate among soccer fans.

Messi felt he had an inflamed adductor muscle during a trip for two games in Saudi Arabia and decided not to play in Hong Kong because of the risk of worsening the injury, he said in a video released on Weibo late yesterday. The issue got “a bit better a few days later,” allowing him to play in Japan, he said.

On Feb. 4, Messi stayed on the bench for the whole of the much-anticipated exhibition match between his Inter Miami team and a Hong Kong select XI, but took part in a friendly game against Japanese side Vissel Kobe in Tokyo just three days later, angering Chinese soccer fans.

“I always want to play and be involved in every game,” Messi said in the video. “I’ve heard people say that I didn't want to play for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue.

“Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China, as I have many times. I've had a very close and special relationship with China,” he said, adding that he hopes to see his Chinese fans again soon.

Netizens debated fiercely in the comments section of the video, with some not believing Messi and saying his response was just aimed at saving his reputation in China. But others pointed out that athletes suffer a lot of injuries and Messi's decision was understandable.

After Messi’s absence from the game in Hong Kong, a number of Chinese brands endorsed by the soccer star were silent. But liquor brand Chishuihe, with which Messi had just inked a partnership, quietly halted sales of products involving the player on e-commerce platform JD.com and removed related posts from its Weibo account, Yicai found.

On Jan. 11, Chishuihe launched on JD.com a signature version of its liquor endorsed by Messi and started promoting the products by offering signed jerseys. The company also placed ads featuring Messi on the sides of expressways in some Chinese provinces and on China Central Television.

However, many angry fans flooded Chishuihe's Weibo account after Messi's no-show in Hong Kong, leading to the firm cutting its ties with him. 

According to Chishuihe's customer service department, the products were removed online during the lunar new year holiday, with the decision being only partially affected by Messi's absence from the exhibition game. The goods will be available again soon after changes are made, but it is unclear whether Messi will still endorse them, it noted. 

Editor: Martin Kadiev