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Revealed: Absent Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was contracted to play 'at least 45 minutes' of controversial Hong Kong friendly - rejected offer to calm raging fans after no-show

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

New York Red Bulls

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner forms part of the Herons’ squad that is taking in a historic international tour in 2024 – with trips to El Salvador and Saudi Arabia already taken in. His arrival in the Far East <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/video-lionel-messi-mania-fans-wild-inter-miami-hong-kong-ship-sail-pink-replica-shirts-selling-out/blt8d91726277f0d5b0" target="_blank">sparked mass hysteria among a loyal group of supporters</a>.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Messi was, however, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/explained-why-lionel-messi-luis-suarez-didnt-play-inter-miami-hong-kong/blt0922bfb8d9a2545d" target="_blank">left on the bench for a meeting with a Hong Kong Select XI</a> – with the Argentine icon not even taking part in the pre-match warm-up. His absence sparked anger among a sell-out crowd – who took to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-david-beckham-booed-angry-fans-hong-kong-inter-miami-refund-requests-argentine-bench/blt329fc97c133e1c35" target="_blank">booing the all-time great and Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202402/05/WS65c070a4a3104efcbdae9c07_2.html" target="_blank">China Daily</a> reports how Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung has claimed that event organisers had it written into a contract that Messi would play at least the second-half of the<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/gunung-lionel-messi-hong-kong-inter-miami/blt62bfd0dc34b0fd20" target="_blank"> eagerly-anticipated exhibition game</a>. It is also claimed that Inter Miami only confirmed a complete a no-show from their star attraction 10 minutes before the end of the match – with the South American nursing an injury.

WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT MESSI'S ABSENCE

Yeung has also said that proposals for Messi to talk to the seething fans at the full-time whistle, or accept a prize on behalf of Inter Miami following their 4-1 win, were turned down. Jeers rained down the stands at the end of the match, with many supporters demanding a refund.

DID YOU KNOW?

Organisers, Tatler, said in an official statement that they had not been informed of Messi’s 90-minute absence. Inter Miami are <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/will-jet-leg-prevent-lionel-messi-winning-more-trophies-inter-miami-tata-martino-convenient-excuse-mls-cup/blt9e33feb77a243628" target="_blank">now due to head for Japan and a meeting with Vissel Kobe</a>, before then returning to the United States.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Revealed: Absent Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was contracted to play 'at least 45 minutes' of controversial Hong Kong friendly - rejected offer to calm raging fans after no-show | Goal.com

Lionel Messi was reportedly contracted to play 45 minutes of Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Kong and snubbed an offer to calm raging fans in Asia.

Revealed: Absent Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi was contracted to play &apos;at least 45 minutes&apos; of controversial Hong Kong friendly - rejected offer to calm raging fans after no-show

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