March 19, (THEWILL)- Organisers of Lionel Messi’s recent exhibition match in Hong Kong have offered a 50% refund to ticket holders after the football icon failed to take the pitch.
The 36-year-old Argentine remained an unused substitute throughout Inter Miami’s friendly against a Hong Kong select XI on February 4, drawing boos from the sell-out crowd.
The surprise no-show sparked outrage, especially in mainland China where Messi’s absence was viewed as a political snub. Tickets for the hotly anticipated match ranged from HK$880 to over HK$6,000, with fans expecting to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in action.
Event organiser Tatler Asia has now moved to make partial amends. In a statement on Monday, Tatler revealed that those who purchased tickets through official channels are eligible for a 50% refund.
However, claimants must agree to a condition preventing any legal proceedings against the organisers over the Messi no-show debacle. The company had previously withdrawn its application for a HK$16 million government grant for the event.
Messi did eventually take the field during Inter Miami’s subsequent stop in Japan. He played 30 minutes of a friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, much to the chagrin of Chinese fans feeling doubly slighted. The exhibition tour was designed to increase Messi’s profile in Asia ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
