Watch: Messi responds to ‘false stories’ amid China backlash

In a video posted to Lionel Messi's Weibo account, the footballer rejected speculation he had sat out of a match in Hong Kong because of "political reasons".

He spoke about his "close and special relationship with China" and said his inflamed adductor, made worse during an Inter Miami game in Saudi Arabia, was to blame for his absence in Hong Kong.

Earlier this month, Messi enraged Chinese fans and sparked conspiracy theories when he played in Japan days after the Hong Kong match.