Lionel Messi
Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba shakes the hand of soccer star Lionel Messi at the construction site of a new soccer stadium in Port-Gentil, Gabon, July 18, 2015. REUTERS/Gérauds Wilfried Obangome

Argentina’s football sensation Lionel Messi has been slammed by the Human Rights Foundation after showing an “enthusiastic support for the dictatorship” in the Barca star’s trip to Gabon on July 17. Gabon president Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been accused by HRF as a dictator in the Central African country, has been allegedly behind the mysterious disappearance and ritual murder of children in the area.

Messi, who has been supporting children’s right and serving as a UNICEF ambassador to promote youth education, was criticised by HRF president Thor Halvorssen for visiting Gabon. Halvorssen added that the Argentine international has seriously undermined the credibility of his own charitable foundation by providing PR services to the Bongo family.

"If Messi wants to do good in Gabon, HRF recommends that rather than partying with oppressors, he release a statement in solidarity with the country's persecuted dissidents and environmentalists, and press the regime to investigate the ritual murders of children,” HRF said on its official website.

The 28-year-old Messi was also scrutinised by Union du Peuple Gabonais, a political party in Gabon, for allegedly showing disrespect for the country’s standards and principles after stepping in the Central African country’s soil wearing denim shorts and a t-shirt. The political entity blasted Messi, saying that a man of his stature has no right to present himself to officials of a republic in a tattered pair of shorts.

"The messiah of football arrived in Gabon like he were going to a zoo: dirty, unshaven and his hands in his pockets, looking for peanuts to throw to them!” the UPG party said, according to Telegraph. The Barcelona forward made his trip to Gabon as a guest honour in helping to lay one of the first stones for a planned 40,000-capacity stadium in Port-Gentil, which will host the African Cup tournament in 2017. Messi was also reported to have appeared at one of the president’s restaurant in Libreville.

Meanwhile, Bongo had previously explained the football star’s visit, saying that Messi only fulfilled the promise he made when the two met in Barcelona a few years ago, according to ESPN FC. Bongo, who has been president of Gabon since 2009, also denied reports that Messi received a payment of €3.5million (AU$5.2 million) for the trip.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.