Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians, and disappointed fans have expressed their anger and disappointment over Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi’s absence from a highly anticipated match in Hong Kong. The outrage intensified when Messi participated in a match in Japan just a few days later.
Many spectators in Hong Kong were dismayed when the 36-year-old player remained on the bench during the Inter Miami match, which attracted a sell-out crowd. Fans demanded answers and even requested refunds. Miami head coach Gerardo Martino explained that Messi was considered unfit to play in the friendly match held in Hong Kong but came on as a substitute in the 60th minute against Vissel Kobe in Japan.
The Chinese state-controlled Global Times raised concerns about the differential treatment experienced by Hong Kong. They pointed out that Messi’s absence in Hong Kong was the only one among his six pre-season friendly matches on this trip. Such questions and doubts have raised suspicions about the integrity of Inter Miami and Messi himself, according to the Global Times.
Mainland fans who traveled from Xinjiang to Hong Kong to see Messi were also disappointed. The impact of Messi’s absence goes beyond the realm of sports and is entirely understandable to both the government and fans, stated the Global Times.
Prior to the game in Japan, Messi apologized to his Chinese fans on Weibo, a Chinese platform similar to X, stating that it was unfortunate he couldn’t play in Hong Kong due to an injury. He expressed his eagerness to play in these games, especially when they involve long-distance travel and the excitement of fans. Messi conveyed his hopes of returning to play a game in Hong Kong in the future.
In Hong Kong, the match attracted 40,000 fans who paid nearly $5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($640) per ticket. In contrast, the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo had unoccupied seating blocks, with only 28,614 tickets sold.
The Hong Kong Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau expressed its disappointment in Messi’s inability to play in Hong Kong due to injury. The government hopes that the organizers and teams can provide reasonable explanations for the sudden change in Messi’s availability.
Sports lawmaker Kenneth Fok described the incident as a “salt wound” for Hong Kong fans. Senior government adviser Regina Ip expressed her dissatisfaction with Messi, Inter-Miami, and the alleged orchestrator behind the snub, on X.
Scott Wong, a 26-year-old cadet pilot, shared his skepticism about buying tickets for future matches involving Messi in Hong Kong. He referred to the backlash faced by Inter Miami and Messi and believed that Messi felt the need to make up for his absence, which prompted his promise to return and play in Hong Kong again.
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