Hong Kong fans erupted in enthusiasm as Lionel Messi arrived at the Inter Miami training session. Ahead of Sunday’s much-awaited encounter between Inter Miami and Hong Kong Select XI, tens of thousands of football fans descended onto Hong Kong’s streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi during his pregame warm-up.
In order to control the crowd, police had to block off the roads around the Hong Kong Stadium. Fans were lining up to see the Argentine sensation, who is largely considered to be the best player of his generation.
The Enduring Legacy of Lionel Messi: From La Masia to PSG, A Global Phenomenon
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and revered football (soccer) players of all time. Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, on June 24, 1987, and showed promise at an early age. At the age of 13, he enrolled in FC Barcelona‘s La Masia youth academy, and the rest is history.
Throughout his illustrious career, Messi has amassed numerous accolades, including multiple FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, which recognize the world’s best player. He’s known for his incredible dribbling skills, precise passing, and remarkable goal-scoring ability.
Messi’s fanbase spans the globe and is incredibly passionate. Known as “Messi’s Army” or “Messi Fans,” his supporters can be found in every corner of the world. They admire not only his exceptional skills on the field but also his humility, work ethic, and dedication to the sport. Messi’s influence goes beyond football, as he’s also involved in various philanthropic activities, supporting children’s healthcare and education initiatives.
Despite his move to PSG, Messi continues to captivate fans worldwide with his performances on the pitch, and his fanbase remains as dedicated as ever, eagerly following his journey and celebrating his successes.
Before the scene: Hong Kong stadium
Devoted fans gathered outside the 40,000-seat arena hours before the training session started, singing Messi’s name in unison. As football legend David Beckham’s team, Inter Miami, walked the field to raucous applause from a nearly full stadium, the excitement peaked.
When the 36-year-old Messi onto the field, the crowd gave him an incredible ovation, sending the decibel levels skyrocketing. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner worked out gently despite having a hamstring strain. He stretched and then joined some lucky youngsters in Hong Kong for a kickabout as part of a coaching workshop.
Messi was the major attraction of the gathering, even if Beckham took control of teaching the younger players skills. Seeing Messi up close was a great experience for a lot of supporters, particularly those who had traveled from far away.
The sea of fans showed their everlasting support for their beloved football hero and his club by donning pink Inter Miami shirts or blue and white striped Argentina jerseys.
Lionel Messi’s Impact: Ticket Sell-Outs, Merchandise Frenzy
When tickets went on sale in December, they sold out in an hour for Sunday’s game, and sports stores said that Messi shirts were flying off the shelves.
A tight hamstring has been bothering Messi during the team’s intense trip, which saw them play six games in 19 days leading up to the start of the Major League Soccer season on February 21.
He barely played a few minutes in the closing stages of Thursday night’s 6-0 friendly loss to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
