Messi sits on the bench without playing in a friendly match between Inter Miami and Hong Kong All-Star at Hong Kong Stadium on the 4th.
Messi apologizes in Tokyo, Japan, two days after the Hong Kong no-show incident.
Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi (36) did not play in a friendly match against Hong Kong All-Star at Hong Kong Stadium on the 4th, citing injury, and Inter Miami apologized late.
"Despite our best intentions, we understand that there was disappointment that Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were absent from Sunday's game. We are sorry that neither player was able to participate," Inter Miami said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday.
The statement continued, "We also know that the late decision has been frustrating for Hong Kong supporters and event promoter Tatler Asia. Unfortunately, injuries are part of a beautiful game, and we feel it is necessary to express that the health of our players should always be the top priority."
"Players get injured in football. This is no one's fault. It's part of a cruel 'beautiful game.' This has affected our visit to Hong Kong."
Hong Kong fans demanding a refund for Messi's absence from friendly matches.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, did not warm up in front of 40,000 fans gathered at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday and looked blunt all the time. Inter Miami team medical staff determined that he and Luis Suarez were too dangerous for the game because of injuries, and Messi did not play in the end.
Inter Miami won 4-1, but its fans in Hong Kong shouted "refund" in protest against Messi's no-show. The Hong Kong government also strongly protested, saying that it could suspend funding to Tatler Asia, the host of friendly matches.
As Inter Miami manager said a few days before the game that Messi can play, anger intensified. Messi left Hong Kong without expressing any apologies on the no-show on the day of the game.
In a friendly match against J-League champion Vissel Kobe held at Tokyo National Stadium in Japan three days later, Messi was replaced in the 15th minute in the second half and humiliated Hong Kong fans again. Only 28,614 tickets were sold out of the entire seats at the Tokyo National Stadium on the day, leaving many empty seats.
Messi played as a substitute in the 15th minute of the second half in a friendly match against Vissel Kobe at Tokyo National Stadium on the 7th.
Prior to the Tokyo friendly match, Messi belatedly expressed his intention to apologize for being unable to play due to injury at the press conference on the 6th, but the anger of Hong Kong fans grew even bigger. 메이저사이트
Senior officials in Hong Kong including Regina Yip said, "Hong Kongers hate Messi, Inter Miami, and the black hands behind them. They are deliberate and calculated cold feet," expressing resentment over Messi's no-show incident.
"Messi should never come back to Hong Kong. His lies and hypocrisy are disgusting."
Messi's apology in Tokyo was also posted on Chinese social media network Weibo, which some supported, but many called Messi a "con artist" and a "garbage."
"You don't have to apologize. Never visit China again. Just because you are good at soccer doesn't mean you are a good person," a netizen said.