Lionel Messi, the football sensation, left his Hong Kong fans heartbroken as he did not step onto the field during Inter Miami’s friendly match against a local League XI. Despite a sellout crowd and immense anticipation, spectators demanded a refund, and the Hong Kong government threatened to cut funding for the organizers, Tatler Asia.
Disappointment and Government Funding Cut
The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) had approved a substantial amount of 15 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.92 million) for the event, along with an additional one million Hong Kong dollar grant for the venue. However, with Messi’s absence, the government expressed extreme disappointment, stating that the organizers owe both the government and football fans an explanation. Consequently, the MSEC plans to take action against the organizers and reduce the funding as a consequence of Messi’s non-involvement.
The organizers were equally distraught by the unexpected turn of events. They had anticipated Messi’s participation, along with his former Barcelona teammate, Luis Suarez, but were disappointed when neither player took the field. In a statement, they clarified that they were unaware of Messi’s or Suarez’s inability to play before the match and expressed their disappointment, echoing the sentiments of the fans.
Adoring Fans
The fervor surrounding Messi was palpable throughout his stay in Hong Kong. Approximately 40,000 fans attended Saturday’s training session, enthusiastically chanting “Messi! Messi! Messi!” They proudly displayed copies of his number 10 jersey, while Messi and club co-owner David Beckham interacted with local children. Aasir Mubarak, a 16-year-old fan, shared his excitement, saying, “I started watching football because of Messi. He’s been my idol since day one. It’s my first day looking at Messi in person, so it’s going to be a very special day, and I’ll remember this for life.”
Gary Sheng, a 19-year-old student, echoed Mubarak’s sentiments, expressing his indescribable happiness as he finally came close to his football idol. The atmosphere was electric as Hong Kongers eagerly purchased match tickets, ranging from 880 to 4,880 Hong Kong dollars, within an hour of their release. The anticipation of witnessing Messi’s first match in the territory since 2014 created a buzz among fans.
What Lies Ahead
Although Messi did not grace the Hong Kong pitch, he is set to capture the hearts of football enthusiasts in Tokyo. As part of Miami’s preseason tour, they will face J-League champions Vissel Kobe in a friendly match. Fans can expect similar scenes of immense excitement as Messi continues to create magic on the field.
Miami’s Major League Soccer campaign kicks off on Feb. 21, with a match against Real Salt Lake. Fans eagerly await Messi’s first league appearance and hope to witness his remarkable skills in action.
This article is brought to you by F5 Magazine.