Lionel Messi’s Yellow Ribbon Misinterpreted as Hostage Solidarity Gesture

Lionel Messi’s return to Inter Miami on Saturday sparked widespread attention, not only for his performance in the team’s 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union but also for the yellow ribbon he wore on his jersey. Many Israelis initially believed Messi was showing solidarity with the hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7, as yellow ribbons are often used to symbolize support for prisoners and hostages.

However, Inter Miami quickly clarified that the yellow ribbon Messi wore was in support of the “Kick Childhood Cancer” campaign. September is childhood cancer awareness month, and the yellow ribbon is a recognized symbol for raising awareness about the fight against pediatric cancer.

The yellow ribbon has long been a versatile symbol, used across various causes and campaigns. In addition to childhood cancer awareness, it has been adopted to raise awareness for suicide prevention, support military prisoners of war, and recognize other causes. This broad use led to the initial confusion, particularly in the context of ongoing efforts to raise awareness for the Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Since October 7, when Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages, the yellow ribbon has been associated with the international campaign to secure the release of those abducted. It is currently believed that 97 of the 251 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 33 confirmed dead. While several hostages have been rescued or released, the efforts to bring the remaining captives home continue.

Messi’s gesture, though unrelated to the hostage crisis, highlights how symbols like the yellow ribbon can carry different meanings across various campaigns. In this case, Messi’s ribbon was a heartfelt nod to children battling cancer, as part of Inter Miami's ongoing partnership with childhood cancer organizations.

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