Messi performs in Inter Miami loss to Vessel Kobe in Tokyo; Hong Kong nonetheless seethes at his absence

Lionel Messi of Inter Miami in motion throughout the preseason pleasant match between Vissel Kobe and Inter Miami at Nationwide Stadium on February 07, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.
| Photograph Credit score: Kenta Harada

After leaving followers guessing about whether or not or not he would take to the pitch, Lionel Messi got here on within the sixtieth minute in Inter Miami’s pleasant match in Tokyo on Wednesday, thrilling locals however angering followers in Hong Kong, the place he did not play at a weekend sport.

The 36-year-old’s no-show on the extremely anticipated match in Hong Kong on Sunday brought on a furore that has proven no signal of waning, with followers nonetheless demanding solutions and a refund three days on.

Inter Miami’s opponent, J-League champion Vissel Kobe, gained Wednesday’s match 4-3 in a penalty shootout after 90 minutes of play led to a 0-0 draw. Messi, a report eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, didn’t participate within the shootout.

Whereas the sold-out match in Hong Kong drew 40,000 followers, the Japan Nationwide Stadium was lower than half full with simply 28,614 in attendance.

“I could not assist however begin laughing when (Luis) Suarez, (Sergio) Busquets, (Jordi) Alba – all predominant gamers – have been within the sport,” Tweety, a Hong Kong resident who watched Wednesday’s match on-line, informed Reuters.

“Messi actually likes the Japanese followers extra by taking part in half-hour.”

With no Messi on the pitch for the primary half, the silence on the Tokyo stadium was deafening at occasions throughout the principally uninspiring match.

The loudest cheers erupted when the Argentine World Cup winner’s face was proven on the large display screen as he sat on the bench. The temper shifted palpably when he began warming up shortly after halftime, and much more as soon as he took to the sector.

“It was thrilling,” stated Chris Mohler, an American residing in Tokyo. “The second half with Messi coming in, you can simply really feel like a jolt of electrical energy to undergo the place.”

One other fan, 47-year-old Australian Benson Looi, who moved to Tokyo from Hong Kong 5 years in the past, shared the sentiment.

“(My associates in Hong Kong) have been all very disillusioned. And I feel so was the remainder of Hong Kong. So yeah, sorry Hong Kong. Nevertheless it was superior (as we speak). It was superb.”

Hong Kong followers demand refund

Some followers in Hong Kong lashed out on the perceived injustice, commenting on Inter Miami’s YouTube livestream posting: “Refund refund refund refund refund” and “Arrest Messi below Nationwide Safety Regulation.”

Even Hong Kong’s sports activities bureau weighed in, saying in an emailed response to Reuters that the federal government was “extraordinarily disillusioned” that Messi didn’t play in Hong Kong on Sunday.

“The coach … introduced in Hong Kong on February 4 that Messi couldn’t play attributable to harm, however three days later, Messi acted freely and performed in Japan, and did quite a lot of intense sports activities on the soccer discipline,” the bureau wrote.

“Hong Kong residents have a number of questions.”

Talking to media within the blended zone after the match on Wednesday, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino stated the choice to play Messi for half-hour was made after the coaching session a day earlier.

“We’re grateful to the folks of Hong Kong, and we undoubtedly perceive the frustration as a result of (Messi) couldn’t take part,” he stated. “Nevertheless it actually was an infinite threat even taking part in him for a couple of minutes.”