On February 4, 2024, Major League Soccer Miami International played an exhibition match against Japanese J-League team Vissel Kobe at the Hong Kong Stadium in China.
In this regard, Messi explained through Weibo on the evening of February 7 that he was "swollen and painful" and hoped to "give a game" to fans in Hong Kong in the future.
But the Weibo failed to quell the controversy caused by the previous absence.
As soon as Messi responded that he was unable to play due to injury, he went directly to the Japan exhibition squad with the back foot, was on the bench list, and came on as a substitute in the Miami International and Kobe Victory Boat performances.
In this regard, Hong Kong, China** reported, "Sitting in Hong Kong, visiting Japan**" Mei Si arrived in Japan and quickly changed his face, and the operation was violent, twisted and shot", the main one is to explain that the facts are damaged and funny, and when some fans of domestic entertainment are still criticizing, the Hong Kong media is not used to you.
In this regard, Huo Qigang also posted on Weibo again to comment on Messi's appearance in Japan, expressing his hope that Messi and Miami International would give the public an explanation.
On February 8, members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council demanded a refund from the organizers within a week, otherwise they would be appealed.