HONG KONG, CHINA - FEBRUARY 04: Fans react after not seeing Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi play during the friendly match between Hong Kong Team and Inter Miami CF at Hong Kong Stadium on February 4, 2024 in Hong Kong, China. The Hong Kong government said it may cut funding for a friendly match after soccer legend Lionel Messi did not take the pitch on Sunday. The Miami Herald reported that Messi had an MRI last week ahead of a friendly match in Saudi Arabia. The friendly match had been awarded "M" Mark status which is granted to major sporting events held in the city. Hong Kong said it had awarded the event a matching grant of 15 million Hong Kong dollars ($1.9 million) and a venue grant of HK$1 million.

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Persons: Lionel Messi, Messi Organizations: Inter Miami's Argentine, Hong Kong Team, Inter Miami CF, Hong Kong, Hong, Major League Soccer, Inter Miami, Argentine, Miami Herald, Florida, China, HK Locations: HONG KONG, CHINA, Hong Kong, China, ., Saudi Arabia