Messi adds insult to injury for Hong Kong fans with Tokyo showing
- Appearance of Argentinian World Cup winner, who disappointed tens of thousands in city at weekend, only raises more questions and anger
Lionel Messi has added insult to injury for Hong Kong. After failing to play in the city at the weekend, the Inter Miami footballer took to the pitch in Tokyo in the 60th minute against Vissel Kobe last night and played until the final whistle.
It was a scant 72 hours after he disappointed Hong Kong fans by sitting on the bench nursing an injury despite promises by organisers that he would appear.
The fallout over the weekend has already run the gamut, from anger over the Argentinian World Cup winner’s conduct in the city, to demands for an apology and refunds – tickets fetched as much as HK$5,000 (US$639). But Messi’s participation at the Japan National Stadium has sent outrage to new levels, sparking fresh recriminations and demands for answers from fans still hungry for redress.
Unanswered questions abound. Why leave Hong Kong with no explanation?
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‘Bad luck’: Messi says having to sit out Hong Kong friendly was ‘unfortunate’
Why avoid the limelight at the awarding of the trophy? Why not shake the hands of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and other government officials, who were guests at the event and who had waited in vain like all the other fans for the superstar to play?
Collective eyebrows were raised on Tuesday when the footballer, who had been sidelined with a swollen thigh in Hong Kong, appeared at practice in Japan looking spry and ready to play. Now, Messi’s latest red card offence – actually playing in Tokyo while snubbing Hong Kong, part of China’s home turf – has once again riled fans.
His teammate Luis Suarez, who also sat it out in Hong Kong, played most of last night’s goalless draw. Their first chance for revenge may come in March, when the Argentina team are due in China to play in exhibition matches against Nigeria and Ivory Coast.
After leaving Hong Kong, Messi had tried damage control, saying his injury was “bad luck” and he hoped to return to play “whenever I can”. But with this latest twist of the Inter Miami knife, that muffled mea culpa has landed with a thud.
Before long it will be time for Hong Kong to move on. The city must take heart, as it has many reasons to take pride.
The city punches well above its weight in international competition, with Olympic medal winners in swimming, fencing, cycling and more. It also hosts the popular annual Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament, which takes place for the last time at Hong Kong Stadium in April before moving to the new Kai Tak Sports Park.
And it will host LIV Golf in March, a sporting coup for the city.
With the world-class stadium taking shape in Kowloon, opportunities to lure other sporting or musical events will only grow. It is important for the government and organisers to learn a lesson from the Inter Miami mess, review protocols for major events, and build a framework for success.
