Fans flocked the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday to catch of Argentine World Cup-winner Lionel Messi train with the Inter Miami players on the eve of a friendly match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) club and the Hong Kong national team. Police closed off streets around the 40,000 seater stadium as fans gathered in queues hours before the start of the open training session, chanting the eight time Ballon d'Or winner's name. There was also a raucous reception for Inter Miami co-owner and former England captain David Beckham.
Beckham was seen passing on some valuable lesson to the kids, but the roof was nearly blown off when Messi entered the pitch for a light warm-up.
On Sunday, Messi was named on the bench but did not make an appearance as Inter Miami hammered Hong Kong 4-1.
Robert Taylor, Lawson Sunderland, Leonardo Campana and Ryan Sailor got on the scoresheet for Inter Miami in Messi's absence.
The likes of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets made an appearance from the bench while Messi and Luis Suarez were watching on from the sidelines.
Inter Miami were beaten 6-0 few nights ago at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, with Messi making a cameo off the bench.
Ronaldo did not even make the squad due to injury.
Ronaldo's calf injury prompted Al Nassr to cancel their two-game China tour last week and it denied him what could have potentially been a last match against longtime rival Messi.
The pair have won a combined 13 Ballon d'Or awards, with Messi taking home the prize for a record eighth time last year. Their most recent meeting came in January 2023 when Ronaldo played in a Saudi select team beaten 5-4 by Messi's PSG.
Instead, Brazilian Talisca upstaged the illustrious duo with a hat-trick as the Saudi Pro League side demolished their Major League Soccer opponents, scoring three times in the first 12 minutes.
Talisca completed his treble and performed Ronaldo's signature celebration, before Messi trotted on for the final seven minutes with his team trailing by six goals.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami will now take on Japanese side Vissel Kobe on February 7 as they continue their preparations for the new MLS season, starting February 27.
(With AFP Inputs)