Lionel Messi snubbed! Why Hong Kong star Shinichi Chan is prepared to dash his own ‘dream’ of facing Inter Miami superstar

The MLS outfit, who savoured Leagues Cup glory in 2023, have revealed that they will be visiting the Far East as part of the club’s historic international tour. Inter Miami are due to face a Hong Kong select XI on February 4 at the country’s national stadium.

Chan would likely form part of that invitational team, but he may have international commitments at the AFC Asian Cup to contend with – with the quarter-finals of that tournament taking place over the two days prior to Inter Miami taking to the field in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong are not expected to make the last eight, but Kitchee star Chan has said when asked if he would snub the opportunity to face Messi and Co in order to remain with his national team: “Sharing the pitch with Lionel Messi would be a dream, I do not think there would be words to describe the feeling. He is one of the best players ever, and I am a Barcelona fan, so it would be amazing, and something I would tell my grandkids about. But I would choose still being in the Asian Cup over playing against Inter Miami. Our aim is to compete with the best nations in Asia, and stay in the tournament as long as possible. For Hong Kong, the Asian Cup is our World Cup. Qualifying from our group, and making history, would be huge for the development of Hong Kong football. I would be very proud, and watching Inter Miami on television would be no problem.”

Inter Miami, with Messi ready to go chasing more major honours with them in 2024, are also set to face El Salvador as part of their pre-season programme – while it has been revealed that a meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will take place during the Riyadh Cup event in Saudi Arabia.