Superstar sits and remains silent
Hong Kong government angry about Miami and Messi
The tickets for Inter Miami's appearance in Hong Kong were sold out in no time. The fans wanted to see superstar Lionel Messi. But his coach left the Argentinian and his second superstar on the bench. He later apologized.
Frustrated football fans and the Hong Kong government have expressed their anger over the absence of superstar Lionel Messi at the away match between Inter Miami and Hong Kong XI. Many fans were looking forward to the friendly match on Sunday and many tourists came to Hong Kong especially for it, the government of the Chinese special administrative region announced after the final whistle last night. “The government and all football fans are extremely disappointed that Messi was unable to play in the friendly match or give the fans a personal explanation when requested,” it continued.
Messi's club Inter Miami won the friendly match in Hong Kong in front of around 38,000 spectators against the team from the former British crown colony with 4:1 (1:1). According to the media, the 36-year-old Argentinian is suffering from a muscle injury. In addition to the multiple world footballer, Argentinian coach Gerardo Martino also left Uruguayan Luis Suárez, who used to play for FC Barcelona, ​​on the bench for the entire game. The coach justified the decision by saying that he wanted to spare the two players. He apologized to the disappointed fans.
Some fans said they had paid the equivalent of several hundred euros to see Messi, as the Hong Kong newspaper “South China Morning Post” reported. One supporter told the newspaper that he had traveled from Melbourne, Australia, for the game. According to media reports, boos could be heard in the stadium. Some spectators demanded their money back. The club from the US Major League Soccer is preparing for the coming season with a friendly tour of various countries. Last Thursday, Miami lost 6-0 to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Messi played for a few minutes towards the end. The team is expected to play in Japan next.
