When tickets for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami game in Hong Kong went on sale, they were sold out in less than an hour. Fans were excited at the prospect of seeing players such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez take to the football pitch in their hometown.
However, both players didn’t end up playing. Suarez had a knee injury while Messi was suffering from inflamed adductor muscle.
As one can perhaps imagine, fans were extremely disappointed that they weren’t able to see the two football superstars in action. In fact, things turned ugly, as fans booed Messi and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham when they left the pitch. Many were also chanting and demanding for a refund.
Tickets for the game cost up to HK$4,880. Following the backlash, organizers Tatler Asia announced that they would be offering a 50% refund to fans.
Messi played in a game in Japan just days after the Hong Kong game, which further angered Chinese football fans. Some even claimed that Messi had political motives behind not playing in Hong Kong.
Recently, in an attempt to put the rumors to rest, the Argentine issued an apology on Chinese social media platform Weibo for not being able to play in the city.
“I did all I could. I also went along to the football clinic with all the kids. But I really couldn’t play. I felt discomfort and there was a risk it’d get worse,” said Messi, in a video apology.
Inter Miami beat Hong Kong XI 4-1.
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