Lionel Messi looks on during the preseason friendly match between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami at National Stadium on February 07, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Kenta Harada/Getty Images)
Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians and some fans swiftly condemned Argentine player Lionel Messi’s participation in a match in Japan on Wednesday after staying on the bench just days earlier in a highly anticipated game in Hong Kong.
Many in the financial hub were dismayed on Sunday when the 36-year-old did not come onto the field during a…