Lionel Messi shares message to stop online abuse

Lionel Messi hit 200 Million followers on Instagram today. The fact that he has just posted 706 times to reach the feat tells you about the popularity the six-time Ballon D’or winner has. An achievement as incredible as this calls for a huge celebration, however, Leo addressed the larger issue of online hate and abuse.

This comes at a time when the entire English football and media will be boycotting social media for four days starting 30th April. English FA had earlier also called for actions against profiles who hurl racial abuses at players, referees, and other staff members involved. However, it was saddening to see that social media giants such as Twitter and Facebook did not bat an eyelid at their demands.

Messi is one of the first La Liga players to come forward and support the movement. It’s imperative that a movement of such great magnitude needs support from a top player, and Messi’s action will surely provide a lot of impetus to this initiative.

Lionel Messi’s post against online abuse on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/T0iimmvEEa

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) May 1, 2021

In La Liga, things are way worse than what it is in England. On 4th April, an incident occurred in a match between Valencia and Cadiz CF, when Juan Cala from Cadiz allegedly racially abused Mouctar Diakhaby. Valencia left the field after Diakhaby reported the verbal assault. However, the match started soon after affirmation from La Liga that the matter will be dealt with.

A week later, Spanish FA came forward with a statement saying that no evidence could be found against Cala. Following the announcement, Valencia dismissed the association’s findings and extended its support to Diakhaby.

This surely is a matter of huge concern, the guilty needs to be punished harshly. However, in Spain, leave aside punishment, the offender walked free without any repercussions of his actions.

Other than this, Barça players such as Samuel Umtiti, Ousmane Dembele, and other race players have also received a lot of hate on social media due to their race. Fans must understand the thin line of boundary between abuse and criticism.

Constructive criticism is always valued in sports; however, hurling abuses anonymously on social media is simply a crime. It can go on to have various mental and social effects on the victim.

Over the last few years, we have seen Leo evolving into a person who speaks his heart out on issues that itch him. Let it be the constant hurling outside Camp Nou or the infamous battle with Josep Maria Bartomeu, Messi spoke out his mind always and managed to get things on track. All of us hope that this time too, the Argentine will have a monumental effect on this issue.