Inter Miami‘s pre-season friendly against Hong Kong XI was an instant sell-out as a plethora of fans expected to see Lionel Messi play. However, the reigning World champion did not feature in the February game due to an injury. Hong Kong authorities drew daggers in response to Messi’s no-show. Fans demanded a ticket refund. The Chinese government called out Inter Miami for falsely promising to start the Argentine. Anyhow, this chaotic episode does not mean Hong Kong has stopped trying to lure soccer heavyweights to their soil. As things stand, Cristiano Ronaldo might compensate for his bitter rival Leo Messi’s no-show in Hong Kong.

As per the X handle GOATTWORLD, the Hong Kong Football Association is planning to host a tour for the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr in January 2025. The report has added that the tour featuring Al Nassr will be a competition, rather than a friendly game. The Hong Kong-hosted championship will feature four teams, including Al Nassr. As of now, the Hong Kong FA and the Riyadh-based outfit are in advanced talks over the friendlies. Al Nassr has historically fared in friendlies and tours during the winter break in January. Therefore, it won’t be beyond the side to accept the Asian country’s invitation.

The Cristiano Ronaldo-led side had earlier agreed to feature in two friendlies in China in January 2024. Similar to the Lionel Messi situation, Ronaldo contracted an injury. However, Al Nassr did not play without the 5x Ballon d’Or winner. Rather, the Saudi side postponed the friendlies, and the Portuguese star promised to return to China. While actively pursuing a discussion with Al Nassr to bring Ronaldo, Hong Kong FA’s president openly snubbed the idea of bringing Messi and Miami to the four-team tournament.

Hong Kong FA president badly wants to host Cristiano Ronaldo, not Lionel Messi

Hong Kong FA president Pui Kwan-kay said that he would like the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr to make a stop in Hong Kong if they return to China to play the postponed friendlies, should they not feature in the four-team tournament. The aim of bringing Ronaldo is to ensure blockbuster ticket sales in Hong Kong’s to-be-opened Kai Tak stadium. While speaking of other teams that could partake in the upcoming tournament, Pui Kwan-Kay ditched Inter Miami.

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“Personally, it’s not appropriate to ask for Messi at this moment. Messi and his team will not be given any priority,” said the HKFA chief. Lionel Messi and other chiefs in the Miami entourage have apologized to the HKFA for his absence in the pre-season clash. But the Asian authority seems to have no plans to bury the hatchet. Now that the HKFA chief has ruled out the Herons, only time will tell which other teams will compete with Al Nassr, should they accept the former’s invitation.

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