Lionel Messi cancels trip to Turkey for charity game following 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.