Lionel Messi defends controversial Hong Kong friendly absence after boos from fans - 'I wanted to participate'

Lionel Messi has stressed that injury stopped him from playing for Inter Miami in a high-profile friendly game in Hong Kong, having been booed for staying on the bench.

The Argentina World Cup winner says he “wanted to participate” having been criticised by the government of China’s special administrative region for not playing any part in the match.

Supporters, who each paid over £100 for a ticket, were heard chanting for a refund, while the franchise’s co-owner - former England captain David Beckham - was also jeered when he made a speech at Sunday’s game.

An independent organiser was paid £1.5m to put the match on against a Hong Kong XI and it is claimed that Messi’s involvement was part of the deal. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner says he has recovered since Sunday and could play against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, in football, things can happen in any game, that we may have an injury. It happened to me,” said Messi.

“I couldn't play in the Hong Kong match, and it was a shame because I always wanted to participate. I wanted to be there, and even more so when it came to these games when we travelled so far and people were so excited to see our matches.

“I hope we can return and we can play another game and I can play, as I do whenever I can. But the truth is that it is a shame that I was not able to participate.

“The truth is that I feel very good compared to a few days ago, and depending on how that (training) goes [I could play on Wednesday]. If I'm honest, I still don't know if I will be able to play or not, but I feel much better and I really want to be able to play."

The Hong Kong government demanded an explanation from organisers Tatler Asia, with the culture minister admitting it tried to force Miami to field Messi.

"We reiterate our request for Messi to play in the match, about 10 minutes before the match ended,” said Kevin Yeung.

“The organiser confirmed that Messi could not play.

“We therefore immediately requested them to explore other remedies, such as Messi appearing in the field to interact with his fans, and receiving the trophy. Unfortunately, as you all see, this did not work out."

Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee, followed that up on Tuesday by saying: “What is important in this case is, first of all, we will keep on urging the organiser to explain to the public in detail what actually happened, what were the details of the agreement between them and the team.

“And also why, in the course of the communication of the government, despite all the suggestions and demands made by the government, nothing materialised.”

Tatler Asia’s chairman and CEO Michel Lamuniere has blamed Inter Miami, claiming that there was a contractual agreement for Messi to play unless he was injured, but that he was named on the team sheet.

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