Inter Miami president David Beckham faced boos from disappointed fans in Hong Kong after Lionel Messi failed to make an appearance during the team’s match. The fans expressed their frustration by requesting a refund since they were unable to witness the Argentine superstar in action.
Despite being present, Lionel Messi remained on the bench throughout Inter Miami’s first pre-season win, a convincing 4-1 victory. This came after he was substituted in the previous match against Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Despite the anticipation surrounding Messi’s presence, Inter in Miami opted to rest him due to a lingering hamstring injury.
The decision to keep Messi sidelined left fans, as well as reportedly the local government, dissatisfied. Thousands of spectators had gathered in anticipation at the stadium, with hopes of seeing Messi in action, but were left disappointed when he didn’t play.
Inter Miami manager Gerardo Martino decided not to risk Messi’s health and opted to keep him out of the game. While Messi watched from the sidelines, his teammates secured a comfortable win over the Hong Kong XI. Martino initially hinted at Messi’s involvement in the match but ultimately chose to keep him off the field.
In addition to Messi, other key players such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez also began the match on the bench. Despite their absence, former Wolves player Leo Campana showcased his talent by scoring a goal and assisting another in his first start of the tour.
