This Tuesday (6), Lionel Messi expressed regret over not being able to play in a friendly match in Hong Kong.
The Argentine didn’t step on the field for Inter Miami’s game against Hong Kong XI on Sunday (5), causing outrage among the fans. He said that he was kept off the field due to an injury.
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“I couldn’t be in the Hong Kong game and it’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, especially when it’s about these types of games that we travel so far and that people are so excited to see our games”, said Messi to the reporters.
The match in Hong Kong, which was attended by 40,000 spectators, ended bitterly, with booing, heckling and demands for ticket refunds, as Messi was left on the bench. The Hong Kong government said it was “disappointed” that the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner didn’t play in the match.
Later, Inter Miami manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino explained that Messi and his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suárez had remained on the bench following advice from medical staff.