Disappointment in Hong Kong as Messi fails to appear for Miami CF's friendly match against local opposition
Lionel Messi, footballing legend and global icon, was expected to make a spectacular debut in Hong Kong on February 4, 2024. However, the much-anticipated event turned out to be a source of disappointment for many.
The friendly match between Messi's team, Inter Miami CF, and the local Hong Kong team was organised with high commercial interests, leading to expensive ticket prices ranging from HKD 880 to HKD 4,880. Despite the hefty prices, around 40,000 fans filled the Hong Kong Stadium, eagerly waiting to witness the magic of Messi on the pitch.
However, Messi's pink number 10 jersey became a best-selling item in the city, while the man himself remained on the bench for the entire game, watching his team secure a 4-1 win. This no-show was met with a mix of boos and chants of "We want Messi" during the last 10 minutes of the match.
The expectation for Messi's appearance had been building for over two months, with many football fans travelling to Hong Kong in anticipation. Yet, they felt they were cheated, as Messi's presence was limited to the sidelines.
The government's political investment in this commercially driven mega-event was called into question, with some criticising the overstatements and promises made during the event's publicity that could not be delivered. Lawmaker Kong Yuk Foon expressed his disappointment with the government's marketing strategy for the event.
The Hong Kong government had hoped to use Messi's presence to rebrand Hong Kong, but his no-show was interpreted as a "soft resistance" against the government authorities. This interpretation was further fuelled by the fact that some of the laws in Hong Kong target speech-related soft resistance.
In response to Messi's no-show, the HK authorities expressed "extreme disappointment" and considered cutting the funding for such events in the future. International Maimi CF arrived in Hong Kong on February 2, 2024, and the friendly match took place on February 4. The government issued a total of HKD 16 million to Tatler Asia for organising the event.
In a political satire, Hong Kong exiled political cartoonist Ah To imagined a conversation between Messi and a member of Hong Kong's "rebuttal team," highlighting the controversy surrounding the event. As the dust settles, the controversy surrounding Messi's no-show in Hong Kong continues to spark discussions about the role of commercial interests in sports events and the government's approach to mega-events.
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