Home from Home | Why Lionel Messi is not to blame for Inter Miami vs Hong Kong exhibition match fiasco
- Messi sitting out the game was because he picked up an injury and the decision was likely made by the head coach and medical staff
- The idea that Messi should have addressed fans to explain is misconceived. He is not an entertainer or a diplomat. His job is to play football – when fit
One of my favourite pursuits after returning to England from Hong Kong has been to attend top flight football matches.
Last Sunday, as Lionel Messi sat rooted to the bench at Hong Kong Stadium, I headed into London to join a vocal crowd of 60,000 at the top-of-the-table clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.
When the teams were announced, several top players were missing. They were injured. Both teams were without their star strikers.
No one thought there was anything unusual or improper about that. It is part of the game. Footballers get injured all the time and their fitness to play – or not play – can vary from day to day.
The barrage of criticism levelled at Lionel Messi, arguably the world’s greatest player, for his non-appearance in the Inter Miami versus Hong Kong exhibition game is overblown and unfair.
There are many questions to be asked about the debacle. But they should be directed at the organisers, the visiting team and, to some extent, the Hong Kong government.
