The scheduled friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria in Hangzhou has been canceled following the fallout from Lionel Messi’s absence during an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong. The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are now set to face Argentina in a friendly match in March in China.

Lionel Messi’s reported groin injury, which prevented him from participating in the friendly against a Hong Kong XI, led to widespread outrage among fans. Event organizers responded by offering 50 percent refunds to fans, incurring an estimated cost of around $56 million in Hong Kong dollars for Tatler Asia. The backlash extended beyond Hong Kong, with mainland China also joining in the criticism, hinting at potential political motivations behind Messi’s absence.

In response to the escalating discontent, Chinese sporting authorities announced the cancellation of the Argentina-Nigeria friendly in Hangzhou, citing the well-known reasons surrounding Messi’s absence. The fate of Argentina’s other scheduled friendly against the Ivory Coast in Beijing remains uncertain.

The statement from Chinese sporting authorities, as quoted by Sportblog247.com, reads: “In view of the current well-known reasons, according to the competent authorities, conditions to hold the friendly match are not mature; therefore, (we) have decided to cancel it.”

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare for their final clash against the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations host, Côte d’Ivoire, there has been no information yet from the Nigerian football federation regarding the cancellation of the Hangzhou fixture.