Inter Miami’s visit to Hong Kong was supposed to be a memorable one, especially for the team. Out of the six pre-season games they played, it was the only one where they managed to secure a victory. However, the 38,000 fans in attendance were left disappointed as they didn’t get to see Lionel Messi in action. This disappointment not only affected the fans but also had financial implications for the organizers, who reportedly lost $7.2 million due to Messi’s absence.
A potential injury scare forced Tata Martino and his team to keep Messi on the bench at the last minute. This absence not only disappointed the spectators but also had a significant impact on the organizers’ finances. Tatler Asia issued a statement expressing their disappointment and decided to return HK$16 million ($1.9 million) of government funding. Overall, they would suffer a loss of HK$43 million ($5.5 million) due to this unfortunate turn of events.
This is a stark contrast to the projected profit of HK$13 million ($1.6 million) that was initially expected. The organizers expressed their frustration at Inter Miami for disrespecting the spectators and stated that they had put in a lot of effort to bring a world-class football match to Hong Kong. They also mentioned that the HK Government approved the monetary return and urged Inter Miami to provide an explanation for Messi’s involvement in Japan immediately after missing the Hong Kong game due to an injury.
Earlier, there were rumors circulating about Lionel Messi’s participation in the match, which eventually turned out to be false as he had to miss the game. This situation could potentially lead to their star player being banned from visiting the country. Regina Ip Lau Suk Yee, the Hong Kong Executive Council convenor, expressed her dissatisfaction with Messi’s absence and suggested filing a petition against him. She voiced her frustrations on X, stating that Messi should never be allowed to return to Hong Kong due to his lies and hypocrisy.
It is worth noting that the Hong Kong fanbase had previously expressed their disappointment, and while refunds are being processed, Messi had earlier expressed his desire to return and play another game in Hong Kong. However, his muscle discomfort prevented him from taking the field. “I hope we can come back and play another game, and I can be there,” he said.
For now, it may take some time for Hong Kong fans to move on from this incident, unless Inter Miami decides to return and play another game with Messi in their lineup. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
According to the Source essentiallysports.com