Messi’s Only Visit To Malaysia Ended Without Him Playing — He Apologised, But Never Came Back

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Lionel Messi has visited Malaysia only once — in August 2013, as part of FC Barcelona’s pre-season Asia tour — and he never played a single minute.

Messi was ruled out of the club’s exhibition match against a Malaysia XI at Shah Alam Stadium after sustaining a left thigh strain during a training session in Kuala Lumpur, according to an official statement from FC Barcelona at the time.

Barcelona went on to win the friendly 3-1, but Messi’s absence overshadowed the tour.

Fans slammed the visit as “forgettable,” with some describing his conduct on the sidelines as arrogant.

Messi later addressed the disappointment publicly, saying he was sorry for not playing and calling it “a shame” that he could not take part.

Thirteen years on, Messi has never returned to Malaysia.

But his standing among Malaysian football fans has only grown, driven largely by his continued success on the international stage.

World Cup Final Buzz In Malaysia Clouded By Israeli Flag Controversy

Now, that fandom is peaking again.

Argentina and Spain are set to contest the 2026 FIFA World Cup final this Monday (20 July) at 3 AM after both France and England were eliminated in the semi-finals.

France and England will instead meet in the tournament’s third-place playoff on Sunday (19 July) at 5 AM.

The broader tournament context has renewed intense interest in Messi across Malaysia, with local retailers reporting strong demand for Argentina jerseys and football-themed merchandise tied to his profile ahead of the final.

However, that enthusiasm has been complicated by a separate controversy: calls to boycott the Argentina team have spread on Malaysian social media after Argentine fans waved Israeli flags during the team’s Round of 16 match against Egypt, prompting Egyptian supporters to respond with Palestinian flags in the stands.

Whether or not Argentina lifts the trophy, Messi’s 2013 no-show remains a well-remembered footnote for Malaysian fans — a reminder that the country’s biggest brush with football’s greatest player came without him ever touching the ball.

READ MORE: Forget The Final — This Weekend’s Other World Cup Match Could Decide The Top Scorer Award

READ MORE: Where To Watch The World Cup Final In KL And PJ — Free, Outdoors, And With A Crowd

READ MORE: [Watch] FIFA World Cup: Argentine Fans Wave Israeli Flag, Malaysians Call Boycott — And Chairs Flew In Subang Jaya During The Match

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Messi’s Only Visit To Malaysia Ended Without Him Playing — He Apologised, But Never Came Back
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