Messi responds to missing exhibition games: I hope to have the opportunity to play in Hong Kong in the future

　　China News Service, Beijing, February 6 (Xinhua) The incident of Messi missing exhibition matches continues to ferment. Currently, Messi and Inter Miami have moved to Tokyo, Japan, to prepare for an exhibition match with Vissel Kobe. According to Japanese media reports, Messi appeared alone at a press conference on the 6th.

  Data map: Messi and Inter Miami. Photo by Li Zhihua

　　At the beginning of the press conference, Messi said that he was very happy to come to Japan to play football and wanted to play one last exciting game in Japan and then go home.

　　Regarding his absence from the previous exhibition match in Hong Kong, China, Messi responded: "I think it is unfortunate. In the first game in Saudi Arabia, I felt some discomfort in the adductor muscles. The MRI showed that it was not an injury, but I still felt discomfort. "

　　"Many people came to the scene in Hong Kong. I wanted to play, but it is a pity that such a thing happened in the football world. I hope I will have the opportunity to play in Hong Kong in the future." Messi said.

Data map: Messi enters the stadium before the Hong Kong exhibition game. Photo by Hou Yu

　　According to the schedule, at 18:00 Beijing time on the 7th, Inter Miami will play an exhibition match with Vissel Kobe. As for whether he can play, Messi revealed: "I will check my status in training. I don't know if I will be able to play tomorrow." Coming on the court, I felt like things were getting better.”

　　Japanese media reported that the press conference ended in about 15 minutes, and Messi's footsteps seemed a bit heavy when he left the field.

  Data map: Messi on the bench during the Hong Kong exhibition match. Photo by Hou Yu

　　On the morning of the 6th, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lee Ka-chao, and the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Sports Association and Olympic Committee, Fok Qi-gang, expressed their opinions on Messi's absence from the exhibition match.

　　Li Jiachao said that the Hong Kong SAR government will urge the organizers to actively respond to the demands of fans who purchased tickets and provide a detailed explanation of the incident.

　　Huo Qigang said bluntly that it was regrettable that the relevant careful arrangements were trampled upon. Messi's past achievements in the football world are beyond doubt and deserve our respect, but with the way this game was handled, I believe Hong Kong fans did not feel respected. (over)