Superstar Messi fails to play in hyped Hong Kong match, drawing ire

Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi (second from left) looks on from the bench during the friendly football match between Hong Kong XI and US Inter Miami CF in Hong Kong on Sunday, February 4, 2024. Inter Miami were booed off the pitch after their injured superstar Lionel Messi failed to take the field in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. - AFP

HONG KONG (Bloomberg): The much-hyped Lionel Messi appearance in Hong Kong intended to lift the city’s spirits ended with boos and jeers on Sunday as the Argentinian World Cup winner sat out his team’s friendly with a local team.

Stadium announcers were drowned out after the final whistle of the match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong XI by the noise of a disappointed crowd.