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Lionel Messi on the substitutes' bench in Hong Kong
Photo: Peter Parks / AFP
When Lionel Messi plays football, he usually inspires enthusiasm. But because he only sat on the bench at a friendly game played by his US club Inter Miami, he caused discontent in Hong Kong. According to Hong Kong Sports Minister Kevin Yeung, Argentina's world champion captain was actually obliged to play at least 45 minutes in the game against local club Hong Kong XI due to an agreement with the organizer. Exceptions were safety and health concerns.
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 4:1 (1:1). However, according to media reports, Messi was suffering from a muscle injury. In addition to the multiple world footballer, Argentine coach Gerardo Martino also left Uruguayan Luis Suárez, who used to strike for FC Barcelona, on the bench for the entire game. The coach explained the decision by wanting to protect both of them.
During the game, government officials were repeatedly assured that Messi would be used, said Yeung. Ten minutes before the end, however, we learned that this would not be possible due to the superstar's thigh injury.
"We immediately asked them to look for other solutions, such as having Messi appear on the pitch to talk to the fans and accept a trophy," said Yeung. Since this did not happen either, the Ministry of Sports could now withhold the planned sponsorship money for the event. Up to 16 million Hong Kong dollars (about 1.9 million euros) could not be paid out, said Yeung.
“We understand the fans’ disappointment,” said Coach Martino afterwards. »We ask for your forgiveness. We would have liked to have sent Lio and Luis onto the pitch at least briefly, but the risk was too high." After the game, Miami co-owner David Beckham tried in vain to thank them for the "incredible support" - he was also booed. According to media reports, some spectators are said to have demanded their money back.
“We want Messi”
As the Hong Kong newspaper "South China Morning Post" reported, some fans said they had paid the equivalent of several hundred euros to see Messi. A supporter told the newspaper he had traveled from Australia for the game.
Tens of thousands had already turned up for Inter training in Hong Kong on Saturday and the team hotel was almost besieged. In December, all tickets for the game were sold within an hour. When the spectators didn't see Messi play, they became restless. Chants of “We want Messi” could be heard.
"The marketing hype promoting the event to fans around the world, combined with government subsidies, creates high expectations," John Grady, a sports law professor at the University of South Carolina, told the Associated Press. This also raises the expectation that the top players will perform as announced. Even if the fans knew that these were test matches, they would still pay high prices for them.
The club from the US Major League Soccer is currently preparing for the coming season with a friendly tour through various countries. Last Thursday, Miami lost 6-0 at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Messi was substituted towards the end of the game, while his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo missed the duel injured. Miami travels to Japan next.
mlb/dpa/sid/AP