Messi to Cancel Trip to Turkey After unsuccessful Military Coup

Lionel Messi has cancelled a scheduled flight to Turkey on Saturday after the country was the subject of a military coup.

The world ’ s best player was due to take part in former teammate Samuel Eto’ o’ s benefit match in Antalya along with a host of other stars. Fleeing Turkish president Recep Erdogan was also
reportedly set to attend and play in the star - studded fixture , with Eto’ o full of praise for the country ’ s leader .
“We will contribute to the promotion of Turkish tourism thanks to this organization, ” he had said this week.
“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the other government officials have supported us.” As well as Messi and Erdogan, Neymar , Luis Suarez, Diego Maradona, Eden Hazard , Francesco Totti, Michael Essien , Xavi , Jay Jay Okocha , Pierre Emerick Aubameyang , Andres Iniesta, Demba Ba, Didier Drogba and Arda Turan were all expected to travel for the game . Messi was due to interrupt his holiday in Ibiza but will now remain on the Balearic Island . Proceeds from the now cancelled match were set
to go to the Samuel Eto’ o Private Foundation . Established ten years ago , the charity was created as a non -profit organization striving to raise awareness of the needs of the African continent.
Its goal is the protection of children and young people, providing emergency aid and encouraging education , basic health and social inclusion for the disadvantaged in order to help them create opportunities for the future , according to its website .