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Podcast: The Messi Effect
Episode: China escalates the Messi controversy by canceling Argentina game
Description: The international incident started by Messi not playing in Hong Kong has escalated, and now involves Argentina.A city in mainland China has decided to cancel its plans to host a highly anticipated soccer match featuring Argentina's national team, amidst mounting criticism within the country aimed at star player Lionel Messi.The backlash against Messi surged following his benching during an exhibition game involving his Major League Soccer team, Inter Miami, in Hong Kong. The match, which drew a sellout crowd of 40,000, left many disappointed fans clamoring for refunds as Messi failed to take the pitch, prompting jeers and...