LIONEL MESSI admits it was “a shame” he missed another prestige friendly for Inter Miami.
Fans in Hong Kong - and even the territory’s Government - are furious that Messi was left on the bench for Sunday's game because of a hamstring injury.
Messi said: “Unfortunately in football things can happen in any game, that we may have an injury. It happened to me.
"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 matches.
"When we travelled so far and people were so excited to see our matches…I hope we can return and we play another game and I can play as I do whenever I can.
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“But the truth is that it is a game that I was not able to participate."
Inter Miami, co-owned by former England and Manchester United star David Beckham, continued their globetrotting pre-season tour by beating a Hong Kong XI 4-1.
But supporters who had paid up to £100 to watch Messi play demanded refunds and drowned out Beckham’s post-match speech with boos.
Footage also showed a fuming fan kick the head off a cardboard cut of Messi promoting the event.
And the row isn’t over yet, with the Hong Kong authorities threatening to withhold up to £1.6m from organisers Tatler Asia after they allegedly learned only 10 minutes before the final whistle that Messi would not get on the pitch.
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Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong’ secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said: “'One of the key terms of our funding agreement with Tatler Asia was for Messi to participate in the match for at least 45 minutes, subject to fitness and safety considerations.
“'We immediately requested them to explore other remedies, such as Messi appearing on the field to interact with his fans and receiving the trophy.
“'Unfortunately, as you all see, this did not work out.
“'We haven't paid any money yet. In the coming weeks we will further liaise with the organiser Tatler Asia.
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“We will discuss the performance of the whole event and we will make a decision on how to deal with the sponsorship."
Earlier this month fans in Saudi Arabia missed out on a showdown between Messi and arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo when both legends were unfit for Inter Miami’s game against Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in Riyadh.
Messi trained yesterday ahead of the clash with Vissel Kobe in Tokyo at 10am UK time on Wednesday.