Messi Mania has descended on Hong Kong in the run-up to the exhibition match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong select team this weekend, which will include football star Lionel Messi. Police announced a series of road closures and diversions that will come into effect before the Hong Kong Stadium opens its doors to spectators for the training session on Saturday and friendly game on Sunday.
There is much fanfare surrounding the match across the city, with the facade of a harbourfront building beaming a shot of Messi for spectators on Victoria Harbour, to junk boats bearing the star’s likeness on their sails. According to a report in the South China Morning Post, Messi and Inter Miami jerseys are sold out, with retailers needing to restock in more sizes to keep up with the demand.
Last month, Inter Miami announced that the team will play in Hong Kong on February 4 ahead of their 2024 season. The tickets, priced between HK$880 and HK$4,880, sold out within an hour after going on sale. Fans who did not manage to buy tickets for the game can watch it on Now TV, or at Olympian city and tmtplaza, which will screen the match live on large screens.
Header image credits: @WeAreMessi via X and Tatler Hong Kong via Instagram