Lionel Messi cut a sullen figure during an abortive visit to Hong Kong. Photo: Bloomberg

Inter Miami ‘sorry’ for Messi anger, hope to be welcome in Hong Kong in future

US club issues response to ‘headlines and negativity’ over Lionel Messi Hong Kong no-show, says sorry, and hopes fans will one day welcome team back to the city.

42 minutes ago

Iran seek first Asian Cup final in 48 years but query choice of Kuwaiti referee

Last chance for Iran’s veterans to win this tournament, coach Amir Ghalenoei says before semi-final against holders and hosts Qatar.

Last chance for Iran’s veterans to win this tournament, coach Amir Ghalenoei says before semi-final against holders and hosts Qatar.

5 hours ago

Angry South Korea boss Klinsmann says he won’t resign despite Asian Cup failure

Jurgen Klinsmann says he accepts responsibility for semi-final loss to Jordan, but is now focused on country’s World Cup qualifying campaign

Jurgen Klinsmann says he accepts responsibility for semi-final loss to Jordan, but is now focused on country’s World Cup qualifying campaign

5 hours ago

No Messi farce as Hong Kong’s footballers get back to real business in Guangzhou

Three days after their minor roles in the Inter Miami circus, several players feature in the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, joined by Ellison Tsang despite him quitting the city for UK because local pay was ‘insufficient to continue playing here’.

Three days after their minor roles in the Inter Miami circus, several players feature in the Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup, joined by Ellison Tsang despite him quitting the city for UK because local pay was ‘insufficient to continue playing here’.

7 Feb 2024 - 7:45AM

As Messi fans cry ‘scam’ in Hong Kong, any takers for US$20,000 ticket in Tokyo?

Tickets are still available for Inter Miami’s friendly match on Wednesday against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe, while special packages can get you closer to Messi, at eye-watering prices.

Tickets are still available for Inter Miami’s friendly match on Wednesday against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe, while special packages can get you closer to Messi, at eye-watering prices.

22 minutes ago

Opinion

21 Sep 2023 - 9:30AM

The ability to go to Premier League games is a big plus of English life that fans may miss upon moving to Hong Kong. But cheering on local teams provides an atmospheric – and fairly good-standard – alternative.

11 Mar 2023 - 1:35PM
7 Dec 2022 - 3:20PM

MORE STORIES

Lionel Messi was lampooned and lambasted online over Inter Miami’s visit to Hong Kong. Photo: AP

Messi ‘diplomatic crisis’ likened to crypto scam as Hong Kong social media reacts

Facebook and X users prove rather livelier than Lionel Messi had been at the match as they rip into the Argentina star over his no-show.

7 Feb 2024 - 1:17AM

Will Messi play in Japan for Inter Miami after calls for refunds in Hong Kong?

Will-he-won’t-he countdown begins on eve of Inter Miami’s match in Tokyo, as Lionel Messi speaks about the injury cited for his no-show in Hong Kong before being seen moving with ease during training.

Will-he-won’t-he countdown begins on eve of Inter Miami’s match in Tokyo, as Lionel Messi speaks about the injury cited for his no-show in Hong Kong before being seen moving with ease during training.

20 minutes ago

South Korea on a roll, Klinsmann says, with chance of first title in 64 years

Coach says ‘confidence is there because we came through difficult games’ as they take on Jordan in Tuesday’s first semi-final in Qatar.

Coach says ‘confidence is there because we came through difficult games’ as they take on Jordan in Tuesday’s first semi-final in Qatar.

6 Feb 2024 - 4:26PM

In Hong Kong’s Messi blame game, is this the smoking gun that nails Inter Miami?

A single piece of paper leaves David Beckham’s US club with questions to answer, after they depart Hong Kong leaving a trail of heartbreak and acrimony over the no-show of star player Lionel Messi.

A single piece of paper leaves David Beckham’s US club with questions to answer, after they depart Hong Kong leaving a trail of heartbreak and acrimony over the no-show of star player Lionel Messi.

6 Feb 2024 - 2:10PM

‘Get out of Hong Kong,’ Messi and co told as fans warn Japan risks heartbreak too

Inter Miami head to the next leg of their tour in Tokyo, but some in Hong Kong argue Lionel Messi should not play there either, out of fairness, while others tell Japanese to expect a scam.

Inter Miami head to the next leg of their tour in Tokyo, but some in Hong Kong argue Lionel Messi should not play there either, out of fairness, while others tell Japanese to expect a scam.

6 Feb 2024 - 12:47PM

Messi accused of not caring about Hong Kong as Chinese social media blasts Miami

Xinjiang man feels ‘cheated’ after travelling over 5,000km to see Lionel Messi play in Hong Kong, while online poll is held as blame game begins over Argentinian’s no-show.

Xinjiang man feels ‘cheated’ after travelling over 5,000km to see Lionel Messi play in Hong Kong, while online poll is held as blame game begins over Argentinian’s no-show.

5 Feb 2024 - 10:49PM

Explainer | Messi’s Hong Kong no-show: what contract said, when government knew, any refund?

After the Argentinian played no part in a much-hyped match in the city, the Post examines who knew what and when, and what took place behind the scenes as the saga unfolded.

After the Argentinian played no part in a much-hyped match in the city, the Post examines who knew what and when, and what took place behind the scenes as the saga unfolded.

6 Feb 2024 - 12:29PM

Angry at Messi? There’s a more important game on Wednesday, Hong Kong coach says

Home goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai says ‘not playing against Messi was disappointing’ after Argentinian sat out Inter Miami’s 4-1 win in Hong Kong, but city’s coach Jorn Andersen has other priorities.

Home goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai says ‘not playing against Messi was disappointing’ after Argentinian sat out Inter Miami’s 4-1 win in Hong Kong, but city’s coach Jorn Andersen has other priorities.

5 Feb 2024 - 7:45AM

New Jersey to host 2026 Fifa World Cup final at MetLife Stadium

The US, Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the football World Cup, which will expand from 32 participants to 48 for the first time and feature 104 total matches.

The US, Mexico and Canada are co-hosting the football World Cup, which will expand from 32 participants to 48 for the first time and feature 104 total matches.

5 Feb 2024 - 5:36AM

Messi affair in Hong Kong as no-show football legend leaves fans furious

Fans came from across the region to watch Lionel Messi play a friendly match at Hong Kong Stadium but the game ended in boos as he failed to take to the field.

Fans came from across the region to watch Lionel Messi play a friendly match at Hong Kong Stadium but the game ended in boos as he failed to take to the field.

6 Feb 2024 - 9:24AM

Greatest let-down of all time? Messi fury sparks plea for Hong Kong’s forgiveness

Inter Miami coach acknowledges ‘a lot of disappointment’ over Messi and Luis Suarez not playing, saying it was ‘the decision of the medical team’ earlier in the day, after fans booed and chanted for refunds.

Inter Miami coach acknowledges ‘a lot of disappointment’ over Messi and Luis Suarez not playing, saying it was ‘the decision of the medical team’ earlier in the day, after fans booed and chanted for refunds.

5 Feb 2024 - 1:40AM

As it happened: fans’ anger as Messi sits out Inter Miami v Hong Kong match

A 40,000-strong crowd that includes the city’s leader John Lee watch the match after musical performances by Keung To, G.E.M and Gareth T.

A 40,000-strong crowd that includes the city’s leader John Lee watch the match after musical performances by Keung To, G.E.M and Gareth T.

4 Feb 2024 - 8:02PM

Messi won’t have it easy in Hong Kong, says coach plotting to eclipse the GOAT

Inter Miami’s opponents, a Hong Kong invitational side, ‘will go out and push them’, coach Jorn Andersen says.

Inter Miami’s opponents, a Hong Kong invitational side, ‘will go out and push them’, coach Jorn Andersen says.

4 Feb 2024 - 5:40PM

Hall goes from Scottish construction sites to facing Lionel Messi in Hong Kong

Calum Hall is poised to face the World Cup winner and his Inter Miami teammates in a packed Hong Kong Stadium, less than a year after playing part-time in Scotland’s fifth tier.

Calum Hall is poised to face the World Cup winner and his Inter Miami teammates in a packed Hong Kong Stadium, less than a year after playing part-time in Scotland’s fifth tier.

3 Feb 2024 - 5:24PM

Huge cheers for Messi, Inter Miami squad at training session in Hong Kong

US team hold training in front of thousands of fans at Hong Kong Stadium, and organisers again warn against travelling to Causeway Bay without tickets, or buying them from third parties.

US team hold training in front of thousands of fans at Hong Kong Stadium, and organisers again warn against travelling to Causeway Bay without tickets, or buying them from third parties.

3 Feb 2024 - 10:25PM