Fans at Hong Kong stadium DESTROY cardboard cutout and BOO David Beckham as Lionel Messi misses out on Inter Miami game
Inter Miami defeated Hong Kong XI by a comfortable scoreline of 4-1.
Follow Us
Hong Kong fans were left angry after Lionel Messi failed to play for Inter Miami. (Image via CGTN)
Fans at Hong Kong stadium were left infuriated after Argentine star Lionel Messi missed out on Inter Miami’s match against Hong Kong XI in a pre-season friendly. Enraged spectators booed club owner David Beckham and vandalized posters inside the stadium.
The Hong Kong stadium was fully packed with about 40,000 fans, as they were eager to watch the 2022 World Cup winner play for the MLS side. To the fans’ disappointment, both the Argentinian star and his ex-Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez were benched throughout the game despite fans’ repeated chants. Fellow stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba only came on as late substitutes, infuriating the fans.
Some angered fans left the stadium early, while others voiced their displeasure by booing and requesting a refund from Miami and owner Beckham, for not getting them a glimpse of Messi.
Viral videos also showed frustrated fans kicking Messi’s posters and cardboard cutouts at the venue. Moreover, some even took to social media to vent their anger saying that they had paid a lot of money. Not for Messi to be on the bench!
Manager Gerardo Martino offered a clarification to Lionel Messi’s fans in Hong Kong. He cited a hamstring injury as the reason for the superstar’s omission. Further emphasizing that it would have posed a significant risk for Messi to take the field.
Inter Miami defeat Hong Kong XI in pre-season friendly, as Lionel Messi is benched
Inter Miami defeated Hong Kong XI in another pre-season friendly at the Hong Kong stadium, as the club’s star Lionel Messi was benched for the entire match. Miami emerged winner by a dominant scoreline of 4-1.
Robert Taylor scored first for Miami in the 40th minute. Despite Hong Kong’s halftime equalizer, Miami won 4-1 with three second-half goals. Leonardo Campana assisted Lawson Sunderland for the 50th-minute lead and scored a goal himself six minutes later.
Taylor’s corner set up Ryan Sailor’s header in the 85th minute for the final goal. Next, Miami will face Vissel Kobe in Japan before returning for the MLS season opener in Florida.
In case you missed it:
- Vitor Roque’s wife Dayana sends out ‘WARNING’ to referee after Barcelona’s victory over Alaves
- WATCH: “I am crying” — Fans ‘dying’ of laughter as Arab commentator SINGS Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka’ during South Africa’s AFCON triumph
Stay Updated!
Siddhartha Roy
(765 Articles Published)