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Danny Mok

Football legend Lionel Messi, who created a media storm in the city earlier this year for sitting out in a long-awaited game, emerged as the most searched local news topic on Google by Hongkongers in 2024, according to the internet giant.
Messi turned from a heartthrob to an object of anger in just a few days during his visit to Hong Kong in February after failing to play in a friendly match against a select team from the Hong Kong Premier League.
Messi, who was with Inter Miami at the time, sat out the entire game, triggering anger among fans who had paid to see him play.
The controversy escalated when it was revealed that public funds had been used to organise the event, prompting calls for refunds and tighter criteria for financing future mega-events.
Meanwhile, the United States presidential election, won by Donald Trump, was the top trending keyword search in Hong Kong this year, according to Google.
It was followed by Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, an action film set in the Kowloon Walled City that hit cinemas in May.

Directed by Soi Cheang Pou-soi and starring Louis Koo Tin-lok, Sammo Hung Kam-bo and Richie Jen hsien-chi, the film has taken the box office by storm, becoming the second-highest-grossing domestic film in Hong Kong.
It became one of two locally made films to surpass the HK$100 million (US$12.86 million) mark in box office revenue this year.
“Playing badminton” was the second top item in the trending slang term chart.
The term became a buzzword in Hong Kong this year, stemming from a controversial suggestion in new sex education guidelines by the Education Bureau, which advised young people to play badminton to curb sexual urges and avoid premarital sex.
The advice sparked widespread mockery and criticism for being out of touch with the public.
The most popular keywords each year reflected the pulse of the times and the ever-changing interests of society, it added.


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Hong Kong society

Messi, Kowloon Walled City film and ‘playing badminton’: what Hong Kong googled most in 2024

Lionel Messi is seen on the bench during the friendly match in February. Photo: Sam Tsang

A scene from Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. Photo: Entertaining Power Co

Messi fans can seek refunds without dropping complaints to Hong Kong consumer watchdog

Fans were furious on February 4 after Messi shunned the pitch at a friendly game in Hong Kong. Photo: AP

Lionel Messi is seen leaving the pitch after the match between Inter Miami CF and Hong Kong League XI. Photo: Sam Tsang

Is badminton the Hong Kong answer to sexual impulses in schoolchildren? We ask the experts

Education Bureau advice that a bracing game of badmintion can quell sexual desire in school-age couples has drawn derision. Photo: Shutterstock

The Education Bureau commitment form, drawn up as part of its suggestions for sex education in schools. Photo: Handout

Lawmaker Doreen Kong says government advice to schoolchildren on how to curb sexual desire is “unrealistic”. Photo: Edmond So

News

Hong Kong

Society

Search engine giant releases list of terms and topics that piqued Hongkongers interest the most this year


Search engine giant releases list of terms and topics that piqued Hongkongers interest the most this year.
