The Hong Kong government demanded explanations from Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi after the Argentine participated in a friendly match in Japan just three days following his absence from a similar exhibition game in Hong Kong.
According to Reuters, Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau expressed disappointment over Messi’s no-show in Hong Kong due to injury, only to witness him playing in Japan shortly after although from the bench. They called for reasonable explanations from the organizers and teams involved.
“However three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan,” the statement read. “The government hopes the organisers and teams can provide reasonable explanations.”
The absence of Messi, a much-awaited spectacle, left many fans in Hong Kong dismayed during Inter Miami’s match, prompting demands for refunds. Coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino cited Messi’s fitness concerns for his omission from the Hong Kong game, despite earlier expectations of his participation. Messi, expressing regret, stated his eagerness to play and hoped for future opportunities in Hong Kong.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I always want to play … especially in these games where we travel so far and people are excited to see our games. Hopefully we can come back and play a game in Hong Kong,” Messi said.
The contrast in attendance between the Hong Kong and Japanese matches added fuel to the controversy,. The match in Hong Kong drew 40,000 spectators, who paid up to HK$5,000 ($640) for each ticket. In Tokyo, vast blocks of seating at the Japan National Stadium remained empty, with only 28,614 tickets sold.
Some fans even travelled over 12 hours from Xinjiang to Hong Kong to watch Messi. It further fueled the outcry, with accusations of deliberate snubbing directed at Messi and Inter Miami.
As Inter Miami wraps up their preseason tour, all eyes remain on Messi’s future engagements, including their upcoming MLS season opener.
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