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Lionel Messi in Hong Kong

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

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

But Consumer Council says those who bought tickets for February friendly match using e-payment systems may need to drop complaints to banks to collect cash.

AFC Champions League

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

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

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

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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.

Lionel Messi is poised for a pair of Argentina friendlies in the US. Photo: AP
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.’

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.

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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.

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Lionel Messi plays for Argentina at Beijing’s Workers’ Stadium in June. Photo: Getty Images
Football

Messi denies Hong Kong sit-out was politically motivated

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.

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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

Inter Miami’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi at the National Stadium in Tokyo on February 7, 2024. Photo: AFP
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.

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Lionel Messi did not leave the bench during Inter Miami’s friendly against a city select team in Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

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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.

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.

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A dragon dance is performed at Hong Kong Stadium where Inter Miami played against Hong Kong XI on February 4. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

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Lionel Messi on the bench during his match at the Hong Kong Stadium on February 4, 2024. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

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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.

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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.

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Lionel Messi’s supporters gather in Hong Kong Stadium in Causeway Bay. Photo: Sam Tsang
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.

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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.

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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’.

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Lionel Messi remains on the bench during an Inter Miami friendly in Hong Kong. Fans were left angry and disappointed after the football star missed the match entirely. Photo: Getty Images
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.

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Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi shoots during his side’s pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. Photo: USA Today Sports
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.

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Messi plays in Japan, fuelling Hong Kong fans’ anger

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.

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Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (center) takes a shot against Vissel Kobe. Messi played in Japan but remained on the bench for the whole game in Hong Kong. Photo: Kyodo
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.

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The decapitated head of a paper model of Lionel Messi lies on the floor after an exhibition match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong Team at the Hong Kong Stadium on February 4, 2024. Messi’s non-appearance because of injury was a disappointment for the fans who had paid thousands of Hong Kong dollars to see him. Photo: AP
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Messi debacle shows Hong Kong needs to up its event management game

Readers discuss the need to improve Hong Kong event management ‘software’, traffic light programming, and the waste-charging scheme.

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

From Messi fiasco to shoot-out woe for Hong Kong, but key men skip Guangzhou tie

Players who faced Inter Miami and starred in Asian Cup beaten in Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup second leg in mainland China, then lose on penalties – but had to do it without some vital personnel.

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