Lionel Messi explains and apologises to angry Hong Kong fans after missing expensive friendly match

Lionel Messi has put out an apology to fans in Hong Kong who bought highly-priced tickets to watch him play in a friendly for Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi expressed his regret for disappointing fans as he cited "discomfort" from an inflamed adductor muscle that prevented him from participating in Inter Miami's match against a Hong Kong League XI. 

The match ended in a 4-1 victory for Inter Miami, but fans had hoped to witness Messi in action, leading some to boo the team off the field in frustration.

Contractual Obligations and Fan Anticipation

The Hong Kong government had indicated that Messi was contractually obligated to play for at least 45 minutes, but Messi's injury led to his absence from the game. Fans who had paid ticket prices ranging from £99 to £498 were understandably upset by his non-appearance.

Messi clarified his situation, stating, "In Hong Kong, we had an open-door training session, and I went out because there was such a big crowd there and there was a clinic with the kids, and I wanted to be there and participate. But the truth is that the discomfort was still there, and it was very difficult for me to play." 

He empathised with the fans' anticipation and expressed hope for another chance to play in Hong Kong.

Regarding their upcoming friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, Messi remained uncertain, saying, "I don't know, we'll need to see how it goes in training today. We still don't know if I would be able to or not, but I feel much better than I did a few days ago and really want to be able to play."

Government's Position and Financial Implications

Hong Kong government officials were informed of Messi's injury just 10 minutes before the game's conclusion. 

Hong Kong's secretary for culture, sports, and tourism, Kevin Yeung, emphasized that their funding agreement with organizers Tatler Asia stipulated Messi's participation for at least 45 minutes, subject to fitness considerations. 

Yeung cautioned that up to 16 million Hong Kong dollars of public money could be withheld from the organizers.

Organizer's Response

Tatler Asia, the event's organizers, expressed their "extreme disappointment" that Messi did not play and clarified that they had no prior information about his non-participation.

Inter Miami's pre-season tour has faced its challenges, including mixed results and scheduling issues. 

Messi's limited playing time during the tour, including a mere six minutes in one match, has left fans eager to see more of the football superstar. Inter Miami's MLS season is set to kick off on February 22 against Real Salt Lake.

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