Lionel Messi (center) sits on the bench during the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and Inter Miami CF in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. Photo: VCG

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and fans have expressed their deep disappointment over Lionel Messi not playing at the Tatler XFEST Hong Kong event, Hong Kong Team vs Inter Miami CF held on Sunday, and HKSAR government also expressed disappointment over the organizer’s failure to promptly provide a detailed explanation. 

Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR government said at Monday’s press briefing that the sponsorship condition is that Messi to play at least 45 minutes. They have requested remedial moves, which were ultimately unsuccessful, RTHK reported on Monday.

The organizer has confirmed that Messi would play in the second half, but he didn’t appear when the game started. The relevant departments immediately demanded that the team arrange for Messi to enter the field quickly. However, the organizer then informed them that Messi was injured and couldn’t play. The relevant departments once again requested that Messi must play. But 10 minutes before the end of the match, the organizer confirmed that Messi couldn’t play, said Yeung, according to media reports.
 
Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a member of the Legislative Council of HKSAR also expressed great disappointment with the arrangements made by the organizer Tatler. He told the Global Times on Monday that Tatler and the Miami international team need to apologize and explain to local fans and the residents of Hong Kong.

The topic also topped the X-like social media Sina Weibo’s hot search list on Monday, with more than 290 million views gained. Many netizens agreed with Kenneth Fok Kai-kong  that the organizer should apologize to the public. 

In a statement, the SAR government said that many Hong Kong fans had looked forward to the match with enthusiasm, and a lot of tourists came to Hong Kong particularly for the match. The HKSAR and all football fans are extremely disappointed that “Messi could neither play in the friendly match, nor explain to the fans in person upon request,” the statement noted.

The event has been awarded “M” Mark status, as well as a matching grant of HK$15 million ($1.92 million) and a grant for venue of HK$1 million by The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC), said a HKSAR spokesperson.

Global Times