Inter Miami, the MLS club, has issued an apology for Lionel Messi’s inability to play in an exhibition game in Hong Kong. The last-minute decision left fans infuriated, organizers disappointed, and led to potential funding reduction for match organizers Tatler Asia. In their statement, Miami acknowledged the disappointment and frustration caused by Messi and teammate Luis Suárez’s absence but emphasized the importance of prioritizing player health and expressed their willingness to return to Hong Kong in the future.
Miami had initially intended for Messi and Suárez to play but decided against it after medical staff assessed their conditions. The club explained that, despite their best intentions, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game and player health must always come first. However, the late decision to exclude the star players understandably caused frustration and disappointment among fans and organizers alike.
Inter Miami justified their approach by stating that they wanted to offer the largest possible window for Messi and Suárez’s availability. By making a game-time decision, they aimed to maximize the chance of the players being fit for selection. While this approach was intended to be beneficial, it may have backfired as it left the fans and organizers uncertain until the last moment.
Three days after missing the Hong Kong game, Messi appeared as a substitute in Inter Miami’s friendly against J-League side Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. However, the game had significantly lower ticket sales, with entire blocks of seating remaining unoccupied. Only 28,614 tickets were sold, causing disappointment for the club and potentially indicating reduced interest among Japanese fans compared to the sold-out Hong Kong match.
At the sold-out Hong Kong game, the absence of Messi and Suárez led to chants of “refund” from fans, reflecting their discontentment with the situation. The Hong Kong government also expressed concerns, stating that Tatler Asia, the match organizer, might face funding reduction. The Major Sports Events Committee had initially granted HK$15 million ($1.92 million) for the event, along with an additional HK$1 million for the venue.
Inter Miami concluded their statement by extending their sincere apologies for the disappointment caused by Messi and Suárez’s absence. They also emphasized that injuries are an unfortunate reality in football, and as a result, it impacted their visit to Hong Kong. However, the club expressed their willingness to return to Hong Kong in the future if the fans remain open to receiving them, suggesting their commitment to rebuilding trust and making amends.
While Inter Miami’s apology acknowledges the frustration caused by Messi’s absence, it also defends the club’s decision based on prioritizing player health. The late game-time decision may have led to disappointment and potential funding reduction for the match organizer. Nevertheless, the club remains hopeful for reconciliation and expressed their eagerness to return to Hong Kong in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of injuries and the impact they can have on the beautiful game.
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