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Lionel Messi in Hong Kong

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Lionel Messi in Hong Kong. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

last updated:

19 March, 2024

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi found himself at the centre of controversy after opting not to play in Hong Kong in February. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong society

The men, women – and animals – that made Hong Kong’s headlines in 2024

From former newspaper owner Jimmy Lai to the city’s growing panda family, the Post looks back on those who stole the media spotlight.

31 Dec 2024 - 1:48PM

Hong Kong economy

From Taylor Swift to Messi: looking back at Hong Kong’s 2024 mega-event flops

28 Dec 2024 - 1:33PM

Hong Kong sports

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

19 Mar 2024 - 7:54PM

AFC Champions League

How can Messi-style tours satisfy Asia fans? Barcelona’s Gundogan has a solution

‘I have experience of going to three different countries in 10 days,’ midfielder Ilkay Gundogan says. ‘It makes it very difficult.’

2 Mar 2024 - 4:56PM

Spectators show their disapproval during Inter Miami’s match in Hong Kong last month. Photo: Bloomberg

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

After China’s Messi divorce, football counts cost of own-goal in Hong Kong

With Lionel Messi’s club Inter Miami condemned and his Argentina national team no longer welcome, past rows involving NBA and WTA offer clues as to what those involved risk losing.

2 Mar 2024 - 12:39AM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Messi’s Argentina to play 2 matches in US to replace cancelled China games

The world champions will play in Philadelphia and Los Angeles in March after a pair of friendlies in China were axed following the Lionel Messi fiasco in Hong Kong.

23 Feb 2024 - 12:54PM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Messi farce could have been avoided. Hong Kong player explains how

Kitchee’s former Manchester United player Charlie Scott also defends Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, saying, ‘It was not his fault, booing him was wrong.’

21 Feb 2024 - 7:06PM

Lionel Messi has been subject to furious criticism since he failed to appear in Hong Kong. Photo: AFP

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Why international defender chose Hong Kong club over mainland China move

The centre-back also says he would welcome Lionel Messi back to Hong Kong after being deprived of a chance to face the Argentine great.

21 Feb 2024 - 7:45AM

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Could Messi video open door to return to China? Social media hostility remains

Amid speculation over where Argentina will now play in March, a video in which Lionel Messi cites his ‘special relationship with China’ prompts plenty to respond saying he is not welcome.

20 Feb 2024 - 6:06PM

Football

Messi denies Hong Kong sit-out was politically motivated

20 Feb 2024 - 1:21PM

02:49

Hong Kong society

No politics involved, Lionel Messi says in defence of Hong Kong no-show

‘I’ve heard people say that I didn’t want to play for political reasons and many other reasons that are totally untrue,’ soccer player says in two-minute video posted on Weibo.

20 Feb 2024 - 5:41PMvideocam

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Lionel Messi appears in a social media post on Weibo. Messi spoke about his personal fondness for China and expressed hopes of seeing his fans there again. Photo: Weibo

My Take | Hong Kong and Inter Miami were playing very different games

For the city, this was a mega event, a chance to show the world it was back. For Messi and teammates, it was just another preseason match

17 Feb 2024 - 11:15PM

Hong Kong sports

Conflicting account from Tatler Asia over Messi no-show in Hong Kong

Tatler Asia chairman Michel Lamuniere tells media outlet he only discovered Messi would not play ‘15 minutes before’ the game started, after earlier saying he was only informed the star would not take to the field late in second half of match.

16 Feb 2024 - 9:56PM

Hong Kong society

Letters | Why Messi struck a nerve in Hong Kong

Readers discuss the Argentinian football star’s failure to play in a match in Hong Kong, and the narrative of the city's naysayers.

16 Feb 2024 - 3:29PM

Lionel Messi

As Hong Kong chases refunds, Messi plays an hour for Miami against Argentine club

Days after sitting out the Hong Kong match, Lionel Messi starts Miami’s preseason game against Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys and plays for an hour.

16 Feb 2024 - 5:34PM

Lionel Messi faces Newell’s Old Boys in Inter Miami’s last preseason match. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Enter the Dragon: let’s show the world what Hongkongers are made of

Forget the humiliation of Messi, mainland jibes and economic disappointments. We need to get back to basics, leave the government to do its job and rediscover the Hong Kong spirit for ourselves.

12 Feb 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

My Take

My Take | Lionel Messi has only added to Beijing’s displeasure at Argentina

China’s cancellation of the Argentine football team’s mainland tour may have more to do with new president Javier Milei than the star player.

11 Feb 2024 - 9:00PM

Hong Kong society

Letters | Hong Kong, give Messi a break

Readers discuss Lionel Messi’s failure to play in a match in Hong Kong, and the welfare of racehorses.

11 Feb 2024 - 11:20PM

Lionel Messi waves at fans before the friendly soccer match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong team at Hong Kong Stadium on February 4. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/DPA

Hong Kong society

‘No plans’ for games involving Messi after Hong Kong row: Beijing football body

Beijing Football Association says ‘no plans’ for Messi to play in China after Argentine national squad, captained by the star, scheduled two matches in country for March.

11 Feb 2024 - 11:39AM

Hong Kong society

Partial refund for Messi Hong Kong match does not go far enough, analysts say

Mainlanders are calling for various boycotts on popular Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu.

10 Feb 2024 - 6:19PM

My Hong Kong

My Hong Kong | Beckham could have played for Messi in ‘PR disaster of the century’ match

There is much to reflect on after the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong Team fiasco, such as how David Beckham could have averted a PR disaster, Hong Kong fans’ behaviour, and what the government can learn.

10 Feb 2024 - 8:15AM

Manchester United ‘99 Legends player David Beckham celebrates after scoring their fifth goal during the Treble Reunion 20th anniversary football match between Manchester United ‘99 Legends and FC Bayern Legends at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England on May 26, 2019. Photo: AFP

Weibo

Ronaldo beats Messi in race to recapture hearts of Chinese fans with Weibo post

Cristiano Ronaldo addresses fans in Chinese and gets Al Nassr teammates involved in another PR win, proving he’s the best off the field.

9 Feb 2024 - 10:00PMvideocam

Cristiano Ronaldo enlisted the help of his Al Nassr teammates for his Lunar New Year message. Photo: AFP

Hong Kong society

Mainland China cancels planned Messi match after Hong Kong fiasco

Hangzhou Sports Bureau said in a statement on Friday evening that the conditions for hosting the match were not mature given the ‘reasons that everyone knows’.

10 Feb 2024 - 3:14AMvideocam

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Lionel Messi

Messi injury can take just days to heal, experts divided over recovery time

A sports injury specialist at an English Premier League club says nothing strange over Lionel Messi missing game, but leading health academic says severity should not have stopped Inter Miami star playing.

9 Feb 2024 - 11:11AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong must look beyond outdated formulas to thrive

Hong Kong has grown complacent, relying heavily on the opportunities and financial gains facilitated by our close mainland ties, leaving us vulnerable. The city must recalibrate its trajectory.

9 Feb 2024 - 10:07AMvideocam

Hong Kong must understand and adapt to the requirements and demands of those with whom we seek to connect in this constantly changing environment. Photo: Shutterstock

Messi plays in Japan, fuelling Hong Kong fans’ anger

8 Feb 2024 - 3:51PM

03:03

Hong Kong sports

Organiser of Messi match in Hong Kong may face legal action as backlash mounts

Lawmaker Bill Tang warns more than a dozen people ready to file complaints to court if Tatler Asia does not offer proper explanation over Messi’s failure to play.

8 Feb 2024 - 6:57PM

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Hong Kong

Home from Home | Why Messi is not to blame for the Hong Kong exhibition match fiasco

Lionel Messi sitting out the Inter Miami vs Hong Kong exhibition game was because of an injury and not his fault, and the idea he should have addressed fans to explain the situation is misconceived.

9 Feb 2024 - 7:54AMvideocam

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