The claim: Image shows soccer star Lionel Messi holding Israeli flag. An Oct. 31 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) includes what appears to be a screenshot from renowned Argentine soccer ...

Of course, after the controversy, Messi's public image in China has been damaged and it won't easily be fixed. That's the cost," Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of Global Times, commented on Weibo.

Of course, after the controversy, Messi's public image in China has been damaged and it won't easily be fixed. That's the cost," Hu Xijin, former editor-in-chief of Global Times, commented on Weibo.