Specific details around the fixture remain unconfirmed, but Spanish publication Marca said that Atletico would face recently deposed Hong Kong champions Kitchee. The Post has been told Marca’s reporting was accurate.

A date of August 7 for the match was previously suggested, but Atletico may need to juggle their schedule after a proposed mainland friendly tournament, also featuring Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, apparently ran into difficulties.

Another Spanish outlet, Relevo, has reported that the promoter of the competition failed to provide scheduled payments to the three European clubs. Chengdu was among the Chinese cities poised to host matches involving the illustrious trio from late July.

Italian champions Inter were already said to be going cold on their mainland visit after the club’s ownership fell out of Chinese hands. Last month, Oaktree Capital Management seized control of Inter when Suning Holdings Group, which completed a takeover of the club in 2016, defaulted on a three-year loan of €395 million (US$429 million) owed to the investments firm.

Chinese football fans have been disappointed repeatedly in 2024. In January, Al Nassr made an 11th-hour U-turn on two friendlies scheduled for Shenzhen following an injury to the Saudi club’s superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Authorities pulled the plug on two Argentina fixtures, set for Beijing and Hangzhou in March, following Lionel Messi’s Hong Kong visit the previous month, when he sat out Inter Miami’s match in the city.

Atletico remain committed to their Hong Kong visit, however, and will apparently look for alternative fixtures in Asia to accompany the match in the city. Indonesia has been mooted as a possible destination. The Madrid side face Manchester City in Sweden on August 10 in their final match before the La Liga season starts four days later.

City were the last blue-riband visitors to Hong Kong. The English champions beat Kitchee 6-1 in July 2019.

Atletico, the three-time Uefa Europa League winners, will play in next season’s Champions League, after finishing fourth in the 2023-24 La Liga campaign.

Their fixture in Hong Kong will stoke anticipation regarding the star players who could make the trip.

Griezmann has been omitted from France’s squad for the Olympic football tournament, which runs until August 9. Euro 2024, for which he has been selected, finishes on July 14, meaning the 33-year-old is expected to have reported back to Atletico in time for the club’s preseason tour.

In addition to Griezmann, Atletico count Jan Oblak, one of the world’s best goalkeepers, and 70-cap Spanish midfielder Koke, among their ranks. Spain captain Alvaro Morata scored 21 goals for Atletico in 2023-24.

Argentine boss Simeone led the club to La Liga titles, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona, in 2014 and 2021.

Ken Ng Kin, the Kitchee owner, last year said he was “scared” by figures quoted to attract Premier League opposition. One source said it would cost up to HK$39 million (US$5 million) to bring over an English top-flight club.

Ng recently told the Post that the Messi affair had left local clubs hesitant over arranging supposed marquee friendlies.

He acknowledged, nonetheless: “If the opportunity arises, we will do it.”

“If it happens, we have to do a good job,” Ng said. “It needs a look at finances, and the government ‘M’ Mark would help.”

A Hong Kong government advisory body, the Major Sports Events Committee, awards “M” Mark status, which delivers funding and resources for organisers.