Hong Kong government complains because Messi is not playing

Hong Kong The Hong Kong government has asked the organizers to explain why Lionel Messi did not play in Inter Miami's friendly match.

On February 4, Inter Miami easily defeated the Hong Kong Premier League All-Stars 4-1 in a friendly match in Hong Kong. However, superstar Messi did not play in the match due to injury, and striker Luis Suarez also warmed up but did not enter the field. Many home fans were angry, some even tore up a large picture of Messi outside the field.

Lionel Messi (second from left) at the awards ceremony after Inter Miami beat Hong Kong XI 4-1 in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. Photo: Reuters — Lionel Messi (second from left) at the awards ceremony after Inter Miami beat Hong Kong XI 4-1 in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. Photo: *Reuters*

Ticket prices for this match range from $113 to $624. When the news of Miami's visit to play a friendly before the 2024 season broke, Hong Kong fans bought all the tickets in just half an hour. During Miami's training session the day before the match, 40,000 fans also flocked to the stadium, chanting "Messi" over and over again. Messi and co-president David Beckham also spent time interacting with local young players.

"I started watching football because of Messi," said 16-year-old Hong Kong spectator Aasir Mubarak. "He has been my idol since day one. This will be the first day I see Messi play football in person, and I will never forget this memory."

However, Mubarak and tens of thousands of Hong Kong spectators did not get their wish. Before the match, coach Tata Martino said that he would try to give Messi and Suarez as many minutes as possible. After the match, he said that if these two players entered the field, the injuries could become more serious, so he could not take the risk. Martino also apologized to Hong Kong spectators for that.

At the end of the match, Hong Kong spectators booed and whistled in protest against Inter Miami. After the match, the Hong Kong government also issued a statement, saying they were "extremely disappointed" by the match organizer. "The organizer owes football fans an explanation," the statement said.

Hong Kong will also cut off support for the organizers, after reviewing the terms. Previously, the Hong Kong government planned to spend 1.9 million USD to support the organizers of this match.

Messi had been showing signs of a groin injury since Miami was in Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh Season Cup. However, he was still able to enter the field for the last 13 minutes of the 0-6 loss to Al Nassr.

After leaving Hong Kong, Miami will continue their tour in Japan, preparing to meet Vissel Kobe on February 7.

Xuan Binh

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