Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:09pm on 06 Feb 2024,Tuesday Sports
Fans expressed fury as Lionel Messi remained benched during Inter Miami's match in Hong Kong, prompting chants of "refund" from disappointed spectators. Despite Inter Miami's 4-1 victory, anger overshadowed the game as Messi, plagued by muscle inflammation, failed to make an appearance. Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino cited Messi's health concerns, but fans questioned why he didn't at least acknowledge the crowd. Organizers withdrew a government funding application worth $2 million, following threats from Hong Kong officials. The government had expected Messi to play at least 45 minutes, seeking to boost tourism post-pandemic. Messi's participation in future matches remains uncertain.
