Lionel Messi Missing Miami FC Friendly Called Out by Hong Kong Government

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVFebruary 4, 2024

PETER PARKS/AFP via Getty Images

The Hong Kong government expressed its disappointment in Lionel Messi not playing in the friendly between the country and Inter Miami on Sunday, as the Argentine superstar reportedly recovers from a hamstring issues.

“Regarding Messi not playing the match today, the Government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed about the organizer’s’ arrangement. The organizer owes all football fans an explanation,” the Hong Kong government said in a statement, per ESPN. “The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) will take follow-up actions with the organizer according to the terms and conditions, which includes reducing the amount of funding as a result of Messi not playing the match.”

The MSEC had originally granted $1.92 million for the event. Tatler Asia, the match’s organizing body, said in its own statement it had no knowledge that both Messi and teammate Luis Suárez would miss the match.

“Despite some news reports, Tatler did not have any information about the non-participation of Messi or Suárez prior to kick off,” the organization noted. “Messi and Suárez were deemed unfit to play by their team’s medical department, to everyone’s, including our, disappointment.”

Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino said Messi was dealing with “swelling in the adductor [muscle]” and that the medical staff advised that playing him would be “very risky.”

Suárez, meanwhile, had a “problem with his knee” and “woke up swollen after the second match in [Saudi] Arabia,” leaving him unable to participate against Hong Kong.

“We understand the disappointment from the crowd who came to the stadium today that Leo and Luis were absent,” Martino added.

That crowd chanted “refund” throughout the match, clearly displeased that Miami’s top stars weren’t on the pitch. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba also started the match on the bench, though both were subbed on after an hour.

Nonetheless, Inter Miami won 4-1 behind goals from Robert Taylor, Lawson Sunderland, Leonardo Campana and Ryan Sailor. It was the club’s first win in its postseason tour, which previously included a draw against El Salvador and losses to FC Dallas, Al Hilal and Al Nassr.

Fans were also left disappointed in the Al Nassr friendly, as Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t play due to injury and Messi only made a brief cameo as an 83rd-minute sub.