A sold-out stadium eagerly anticipated witnessing Lionel Messi’s prowess in action during a friendly match in Hong Kong, but disappointment ensued when the Argentine superstar remained benched due to injury. Despite fans paying over 880 Hong Kong dollars ($110) to attend the event, Messi’s absence drew ire from spectators, leading to calls for refunds.
Organizers, recognizing the dissatisfaction among attendees, offered a 50-percent refund to those who purchased tickets through official channels. However, the refund comes with conditions, including refraining from legal action against the organizers. The incident sparked controversy in China, with some interpreting Messi’s absence as a political statement.
In response to the criticism, the group planning the event, Tatler Asia, decided not to ask the government for money anymore. Meanwhile, Messi played for 30 minutes in a friendly game against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo while Inter Miami was in Japan. This made Chinese fans even more unhappy.
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