Lionel Messi’s decision to stay on the bench during a match in Hong Kong has sparked widespread criticism from Chinese state media, Hong Kong politicians, and disappointed fans. The Argentine player’s absence from the highly anticipated Inter Miami match in Hong Kong, followed by his appearance in a match in Japan just days later, has raised questions about the treatment of Hong Kong and triggered concerns about the integrity of Inter Miami and Messi himself.
Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino explained that Messi was deemed unfit to play in Sunday’s friendly in Hong Kong due to injury. However, Messi appeared as a substitute in the 60th minute of a match against Vissel Kobe in Japan on Wednesday, leaving many fans and officials in Hong Kong feeling let down and demanding explanations.
Chinese state-controlled Global Times highlighted the disappointment of mainland fans, some of whom traveled long distances to see Messi play in Hong Kong. The impact of Messi’s absence on fans and the government has extended beyond the realm of sports, with many expressing frustration over what they perceive as a deliberate snub to Hong Kong.
In response to the backlash, Messi issued an apology to his Chinese fans on Weibo, expressing regret for not being able to play in Hong Kong due to injury. He emphasized his desire to play in such highly anticipated matches and expressed hope for future opportunities to play in Hong Kong.
The match in Hong Kong drew a crowd of 40,000 fans, with tickets priced up to nearly HK$5,000 ($640) each. In contrast, the match in Tokyo had significantly lower attendance, prompting further scrutiny and disappointment from Hong Kong officials and fans.
Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau expressed disappointment over Messi’s absence and called for reasonable explanations from the organizers and teams involved. Sports lawmaker Kenneth Fok and senior government advisor Regina Ip voiced their dismay over the incident, with Ip criticizing Messi, Inter Miami, and the perceived orchestrators behind the decision.
The incident has left a sour taste for many Hong Kong fans, with some expressing hesitation about attending future matches involving Messi. Despite Messi’s promise to return and play in Hong Kong again, the backlash from fans and officials underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in sports events of such magnitude.
