Recap | Pele, John McEnroe and Liverpool FC: Hong Kong’s most iconic sports moments

Lionel Messi may have done no more than warm the bench when Inter Miami visited in February, but Hong Kong has had a long history of legends and world champions gracing the city’s sporting venues and impressing local fans.

From Pele’s 1970 visit to John McEnroe’s fiery clash with Ivan Lendl in 1984, to the mighty Liverpool side of the 80s visiting in 1983, and having Gary Player’s controversial golf course opening more than a decade later, Hong Kong has hosted some of the biggest superstars in sport.

1. When Pele played in Hong Kong, shunned Hilton presidential suite and thrilled fans on the pitch

In December 1970, football legend Pele wowed Hong Kong and left an indelible mark on the city’s sports history. While here, he snubbed the luxury of the Hilton’s presidential suite and chose to stay with his Santos teammates instead, before leading the team to four resounding victories.

2. Snooker legends Steve Davis and Doug Mountjoy lit up inaugural 1983 Camus Masters in Hong Kong

Snooker superstars such as world champion Steve Davis, Doug Mountjoy, Tony Meo and Terry Griffiths captivated Hong Kong fans when they played a tournament in the city in 1983. The debut Camus Masters saw Mountjoy beat fellow Welshman Griffiths in the final at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, in Wan Chai, with legend of the game Davis finishing in 3rd place.

3. John McEnroe’s notorious temper exploded in Hong Kong when the tennis icon battled Ivan Lendl in 1984 blockbuster

There was pre-match drama, a ‘five-set thriller’ and a classic John McEnroe tantrum on court as the world’s top two players went head-to-head at the Hong Kong Coliseum in April 1984. More than 10,000 spectators were not disappointed as the drama unfolded in the Diners Club Tennis Classic.

4. When Gary Player defied a feng shui curse and an environmental outcry to open Hong Kong’s first public golf course

Golfing legend Player’s company designed two 18-hole courses on Kau Sai Chau, off Sai Kung, amid controversy surrounding their construction. The man himself was in Hong Kong to hit the opening tee-shot as the courses officially opened to the public in December 1995.

5. Liverpool FC’s all-conquering 1980s legends thrilled fans in exhibition match against Hong Kong side

English champions Liverpool’s visit to the city drew a capacity crowd to Hong Kong Stadium, in June 1983, keen to see the “most successful team in Europe”. Despite being without stars Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Ronnie Whelan, they made short work of local side Bulova for a cash prize of HK$150,000.

Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI.