Hong Kong football fans were left heartbroken and demanding refunds after their idol, Lionel Messi, did not take to the field in Inter Miami's friendly match against a local League XI. The match, played in front of a sellout crowd, ended in a 4-1 victory for Inter Miami, but spectators were left disappointed and chanted "refund" as Messi remained on the bench.
The disappointment was not limited to the fans alone. The Hong Kong government also expressed its disappointment and stated that match organizer Tatler Asia may face a reduction in funding. The Major Sports Events Committee had granted a significant amount of funding, 15 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.92 million), for the event, along with an additional grant for the venue. The government expressed that the organizers owed football fans an explanation and that follow-up actions would be taken, including reducing the funding, due to Messi's absence.
The organizers, on the other hand, claimed that they had expected Messi and his former Barcelona teammate, Luis Suarez, to play and were extremely disappointed when they did not feature in the match. They stated that they had no prior information about the non-participation of Messi or Suarez. According to the organizers, both players were deemed unfit to play by their team's medical department, which was a disappointment for everyone involved.
Miami head coach Gerardo Martino defended the decision not to play Messi and Suarez, stating that their injuries needed to be carefully managed to avoid aggravation. Messi had swelling in his adductor muscle, and the medical team deemed it too risky for him to play. Suarez, on the other hand, had a knee problem and was not fit to participate in the match.
The adoration for Messi in Hong Kong was evident throughout his three days in the city. Thousands of fans flocked to Hong Kong Stadium for the training session, chanting his name and holding up jerseys with his number 10. Fans shared their excitement and expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to see their idol in person. The anticipation for the match was palpable, with fans eagerly awaiting the chance to witness Messi play in Hong Kong again after a long absence.
Tickets for the match were highly sought after, selling out within an hour upon their release. Hong Kongers were eager to be part of this historic event and were willing to pay between 880 and 4,880 Hong Kong dollars for a ticket. The disappointment of Messi's absence was felt deeply, leaving many fans feeling let down and seeking refunds for their tickets.
While Hong Kong may have missed out on seeing Messi in action, Tokyo is next in line to experience the excitement of his presence. Miami will continue their preseason tour with a friendly match against J-League champions Vissel Kobe. Fans in Tokyo can expect similar scenes of adoration and excitement as they await the arrival of the football superstar.
Despite the disappointment, Messi's absence in the friendly match does not diminish the anticipation for his upcoming performances in the Major League Soccer campaign with Inter Miami. Fans worldwide will eagerly await the opportunity to see their idol in action as he takes to the field in the upcoming season.