Lionel Messi reportedly cancels Turkey trip amid military coup
Lionel Messi has reportedly canceled a flight to Turkey scheduled for Saturday amid a military coup in the country. Messi was set to play in a charity match alongside a host of other soccer stars put on by former Barcelona teammate Samuel Eto'o.
The military upheaval against Turkish president Recep Erdogan, who was scheduled to participate in the match, resulted in the event being scrapped. Messi's Barcelona teammates Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta were among the other soccer players planning to attend the match in Antalya in southern Turkey.
People react against uprising attempt from within the army in Ankara, Turkey.
Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Argentina legend Diego Maradona were also expected to be featured in Saturday's match, which was set to donate proceeds to the Fundación Privada Samuel Eto'o, or the Samuel Eto'o Private Foundation. A number of other soccer luminaries were also planning to attend the World Stars vs. Turkey Stars tilt.
As the situation in Turkey remains unclear, it makes sense that the soccer match — despite its charitable intentions — takes a backseat in the name of safety.
