Revealed: China fury at Lionel Messi stems from organisers finding out '15 minutes before' kick-off that Inter Miami superstar wouldn't play against Hong Kong XI

Lionel Messi's decision not to feature in Inter Miami's friendly clash against a Hong Kong XI was reported to organisers "15 minutes before" kick-off.

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• Messi no-show in Hong Kong
• Has led to feud with China
• Organisers left in dark over decision

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Thousands of supporters flocked to see the World Cup-winning Argentine train with Miami ahead of a much-anticipated friendly clash, but fans across the Asian country were let down when Messi eventually pulled out due to a reported injury. Michel Lamuniere, chairman and chief executive of promoters Tatler Asia, has revealed that this decision was kept from organisers until the last minute.

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  WHAT LAMUNIERE SAID

  Speaking in an interview with , Lamuniere explained that he only found out Messi wouldn't be playing "15 minutes before the start" of the game. He added: “The rest of the first half was spent trying to find solutions for Messi to play, talking, and moving around the pitch. [The event] was perfectly organised except for the lack of visibility regarding Messi’s injury, of which we had no idea”.

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The unprecedented pre-season schedule was seen as a way of widening Miami's appeal to key markets in the Middle East and Asia, capitalising on Messi's first tour with the Florida-based club. However, that soon turned into a PR disaster, with Saudi fans also disappointed that a 'Last Dance' against Cristiano Ronaldo could never go ahead. They were appeased by a second-half cameo from Messi but those in Hong Kong were afforded no such luxury, with the Argentine and his home country publicly denigrated as a result.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

  Miami's tumultuous pre-season ends with a romantic reunion for Messi with boyhood club Newell's Old Boys later on Thursday. The MLS season proper begins in a week's time, with their league opener coming at home to Real Salt Lake.