David Beckham Faces Backlash as Fans Demand Refund Over Lionel Messi’s Absence
David Beckham, the co-owner of Inter Miami, faced backlash from furious fans at the Hong Kong Stadium after Lionel Messi did not play in a friendly match. Despite securing victories against Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr earlier in the week, Inter Miami continued their pre-season tour with a game against a Hong Kong XI. The stadium was filled with over 38,000 supporters who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see Messi in action, some having paid over £200 for a ticket.
However, disappointment quickly turned into frustration as Messi remained on the bench throughout the entire game. As the match progressed, chants of Messi’s name echoed in the stadium, but the supporters’ excitement turned into jeers and boos in the final 10 minutes when it became evident that the Argentine star would not make an appearance.
Beckham addressed the hostile crowd, expressing gratitude for their welcome, but his words were drowned out by the loud boos and demands for a refund from disappointed fans. A fan who attended the game expressed disappointment but understood that Messi’s absence was due to his ongoing hamstring injury. However, they did not appreciate the prolonged chant for a refund and believed that Beckham’s speech was inaudible due to the overwhelming noise. The fan also highlighted the high cost of tickets, stating that they had paid HKD 2,280 (£222), making them the most expensive football tickets in Hong Kong.
While the fans expressed their frustration, Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino explained that the decision to keep Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench was made to protect their physical well-being. Martino expressed gratitude towards Hong Kong for their hospitality and acknowledged the disappointment among fans. He emphasized that the medical team had assessed their physical condition and determined that it would be too risky to send them onto the pitch. Martino apologized to the fans and expressed a wish that they could have played for a while, but the risk was deemed too great.
In conclusion, David Beckham faced a backlash from fans as Lionel Messi’s absence from the friendly match in Hong Kong led to demands for refunds. Despite Inter Miami securing a comfortable win, fans were disappointed not to see Messi in action after paying high ticket prices. While some fans understood Messi’s injury situation, others expressed their frustration through jeers and chants for a refund. Coach Tata Martino acknowledged the disappointment but explained that the decision was made to prioritize the players’ well-being.