[HIGHLIGHTS] The organizers still confirmed that Messi would play before the game started, but the Hong Kong SAR government had not yet paid the sponsorship fee.

The organizers still confirmed that Messi would play before the game started, but the Hong Kong SAR government had not yet paid the sponsorship fee. The sponsorship contract stipulates that Messi must play for at least 45 minutes unless there are problems with safety and health conditions.

Ten minutes before the end of the game, the organizers once again confirm that Messi could not play. The SAR government immediately took a series of remedial actions, such as asking the organizers whether they could ask Messi to explain to the fans in person.