Inter Miami has issued an apology for the absence of Lionel Messi in an exhibition game held in Hong Kong. The last-minute decision not to have Messi play infuriated fans and disappointed organizers, but the MLS club stated that it was a necessary precaution. Prior to the match, Messi and his teammate Luis Suárez were being assessed by medical staff who ultimately decided that it was too risky for them to participate.
In a statement sent to Reuters, Inter Miami expressed regret over the disappointment and frustration caused by the absence of Messi and Suárez, saying, “Despite our best intentions, we understand there has been disappointment over the absence of Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in Sunday’s match and we are sorry that the two players could not participate.”
Inter Miami also emphasized that injuries are an unfortunate part of the game and that the health of their players must always take precedence. They wanted to make a game-time decision regarding Messi and Suárez to maximize the chance of their availability for selection.
Three days later, Lionel Messi made an appearance in Inter Miami’s friendly match against J-League side Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. However, the Japan National Stadium was not filled to capacity, with only 28,614 tickets sold. This contrasted with the sold-out game in Hong Kong, where Miami emerged victorious with a 4-1 win over a local League XI.
The absence of Messi and Suárez led to chants of “refund” from disappointed spectators at the Hong Kong game. It was reported that match organizers Tatler Asia, could face a reduction in funding from the Hong Kong government, which had granted HK$15 million ($1.92 million) for the event. The Major Sports Events Committee (MSEC) had also provided a HK$1 million grant for the venue.
Inter Miami expressed their eagerness to return to Hong Kong if the fans are open to welcoming the club once again. They acknowledged that injuries are an unfortunate aspect of football and that it was no one’s fault. The club acknowledged that injuries can be cruel and that it had impacted their visit to Hong Kong on this particular occasion.
Inter Miami’s decision to apologize for Lionel Messi’s absence in the Hong Kong exhibition game demonstrates their commitment to prioritizing player health. Despite the disappointment and frustration caused by the late decision, the club expressed their understanding of fans’ feelings. They also highlighted the possible impacts on the organizers, Tatler Asia, due to the reduction in funding from the Hong Kong government. Inter Miami hopes to have the opportunity to return to Hong Kong in the future, emphasizing that injuries, although unfortunate, are an inherent part of the beautiful game.
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