Relations between Britain and China have seen an unexpected improvement following a controversy involving Lionel Messi's absence from an exhibition game in Hong Kong. The situation escalated when Tata Martino announced Messi would start in Thursday's friendly match against Newell's, which was perceived as a deliberate disregard for Hong Kong. This incident led Chinese football fans to publicly celebrate British rule in the Falklands, an unusual show of support stemming from Messi's no-show.
Lionel Messi gets some Argie-bargie from Chinese football fans who taunt him over the FALKLANDS https://t.co/ksYVHBEgy3 https://t.co/BudMN8tbjQ
Chinese football fans celebrate British rule of Falklands after Messi 'snub' https://t.co/TkACVSoelJ
Chinese football fans celebrate British rule in Falklands after Messi no-show https://t.co/3Mrrddyd1L
Tata Martino reveals that Messi will start Thursday's friendly vs Newell's. Another "deliberate and calculated snub” to Hong Kong. https://t.co/1UcpxSk9HP
Britain’s relations with China have taken an unexpected turn for the better as an unconnected row deepens over the non-appearance by Lionel Messi, the Argentinian football star, at an exhibition game in Hong Kong ⬇️ https://t.co/JOsZ94ydI1