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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi no-show in Hong Kong</li><li>Has led to feud with China</li><li>Organisers left in dark over decision</li></ul>

Revealed: China fury at Lionel Messi stems from organisers finding out '15 minutes before' kick-off that Inter Miami superstar wouldn't play against Hong Kong XI

Thousands of supporters <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sa/lists/video-lionel-messi-hong-kong-40-000-capacity-inter-miami-training-argentina/blt3c997cf4fb2219f9" target="_blank">flocked to see the World Cup-winning Argentine train</a> with Miami ahead of a much-anticipated friendly clash, but fans across the Asian country were let down when <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-david-beckham-booed-angry-fans-hong-kong-inter-miami-refund-requests-argentine-bench/blt329fc97c133e1c35" target="_blank">Messi eventually pulled out due to a reported injury</a>. Michel Lamuniere, chairman and chief executive of promoters Tatler Asia, has revealed that this decision was kept from organisers until the last minute.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking in an interview with <a href="https://theathletic.com/5274851/2024/02/15/a-thuggish-flamingo-why-china-turned-on-lionel-messi/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=twitterfc&amp;source=twitteruk" target="_blank">The Athletic</a>, Lamuniere explained that he only found out Messi wouldn't be playing "15 minutes before the start" of the game. He added: “The rest of the first half was spent trying to find solutions for Messi to play, talking, and moving around the pitch. [The event] was perfectly organised except for the lack of visibility regarding Messi’s injury, of which we had no idea”.

WHAT LAMUNIERE SAID

The unprecedented pre-season schedule was seen as a way of widening Miami's appeal to key markets in the Middle East and Asia, capitalising on Messi's first tour with the Florida-based club. However, that soon turned into a PR disaster, with Saudi fans also disappointed that a 'Last Dance' against Cristiano Ronaldo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-s-last-dance-lionel-messi-off-al-nassr-superstar-ruled-out-inter-miami-riyadh-season-cup-clash/blt32803230dfca74e5" target="_blank">could never go ahead</a>. They were appeased by a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/lionel-messi-inter-miami-al-nassr-cristiano-ronaldo-friendly-team-news/bltb52fcac03b6c2451" target="_blank">second-half cameo from Messi</a> but those in Hong Kong were afforded no such luxury, with the Argentine <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/china-feud-lionel-messi-inter-miami-falkland-islands-british-argentina/bltf69e7e64f5146758" target="_blank">and his home country</a> publicly denigrated as a result.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Miami's tumultuous pre-season ends with a romantic reunion for Messi with boyhood club Newell's Old Boys later on Thursday. The MLS season proper begins in a week's time, with their league opener coming at home to Real Salt Lake.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Revealed: China fury at Lionel Messi stems from organisers finding out '15 minutes before' kick-off that Inter Miami superstar wouldn't play against Hong Kong XI | Goal.com Uganda

Lionel Messi&apos;s decision not to feature in Inter Miami&apos;s friendly clash against a Hong Kong XI was reported to organisers &quot;15 minutes before&quot; kick-off.

Revealed: China fury at Lionel Messi stems from organisers finding out &apos;15 minutes before&apos; kick-off that Inter Miami superstar wouldn&apos;t play against Hong Kong XI