On February 4th, 2024, the long awaited Tatler XFest, a football match between local Hong Kong Premier League select players and Inter Miami, took place at Hong Kong stadium, with over 40,000 fans in attendance. Almost all of the fans in question were there to see Lionel Messi grace the field against local Hong Kong stars. Fresh off of a record 8th Ballon D’or win, Hong Kong fans saw the match as a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness one of the greatest football players of all time live in action and were therefore willing to pay sums upwards of HKD$3000 to buy tickets. In the months leading up to the match, Messi was at the forefront of any and all advertising campaigns, almost serving as a guarantee that fans would get to see what they came for: to see him play in the match. However, on the eve of the big game, after sitting out for the majority of Miami’s open training session, fears began to stir regarding whether or not Messi would be fit to play.

The match ended 4-1 to Inter Miami after 90 comfortable minutes of football from Miami and what felt like an aggravated eternity for Hong Kong football fans. Messi did not log any minutes in the game and was on the bench up until the final whistle sounded. There were some highlight moments, however. For example, 40 minutes into the game, Inter Miami’s Robert Taylor tucked away an incredible finish that left fans in awe. Despite the wonderful goal to end the half, fans remained rustled, and the distaste for the game seemed pervasive amongst all fans who watched the game in person and on television. Luis Suarez, a Liverpool veteran and fan favorite, also failed to make the eleven for Inter Miami. The outrage from Hong Kong fans was therefore clear, as fans felt they were indirectly promised a fulfillment of their dream to watch Messi, only to not see him or other adored footballers on the field.