Messi magic can help Hong Kong score on world mega-events map
- Arrival of legendary World Cup-winning footballer excites both fans and officials keen to show Hong Kong’s return to the global stage
After missing out on mega events to its Asian neighbours because it was slower to reopen after the pandemic and seen to lack world-class venues, Hong Kong is in thrall to a visit from a football team captained by Lionel Messi, the Argentinian World Cup winner regarded as the greatest soccer player of his era.
Fingers are crossed that everything goes to plan after the organisers of tours by superstars Taylor Swift and British rock band Coldplay bypassed Hong Kong for Singapore, Japan and the Philippines. It was a stinging snub with the city so in need of big events to lure tourists and put itself back on the global map after social unrest and Covid-19.
Government officials were on hand at the airport on Friday to meet Messi’s Inter Miami, co-owned by former Manchester United star David Beckham, when they arrived for a friendly fixture against a team drawn from the local Premier League at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday. This will follow a public training session on Saturday.
Capacity 40,000 crowds are anticipated at both events, and those without tickets can watch on television.
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Messi mania as football superstar arrives in Hong Kong
Messi mania has taken off, from pricey souvenir merchandise such as shirts, which have been flying off the shelves, to police crowd control measures including road closures and warnings against fan hysteria. Bars and restaurants can also expect a boost.
Organisers, the government and fans are looking forward to seeing Messi at both events. In an earlier match against Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr, Messi sat out all but seven minutes before coming on as substitute.
This was to rest a hamstring after he felt discomfort in a previous fixture. Thankfully, given the public’s high expectations of seeing their hero, he came through that cameo appearance without a problem.
His Hong Kong fans will want to see every second of him, both in action and just at the stadium in his famous number 10 shirt. We hope all their wishes come true.
The local public has a lot riding on this. Officials, rightly, are using the visit to promote the city abroad ahead of trade-related fairs.
Some Hong Kong restaurants, hotels hoping for Messi-inspired boost to business
However, aside from many such events lined up for the next six months, they need to do more to raise the city’s global profile. Critics claim the events list lacks originality in the face of regional competition.
If that means going the extra mile to secure headline shows, so be it. A global profile as a mega-event venue counts for a lot.
As nightlife tycoon Allan Zeman has said, music performances and sporting events are what kept “Hong Kong’s name on the road map as a great city”. The new 50,000-seat sports stadium at Kai Tak will make a difference from next year.
The government should seize every opportunity to showcase it as a great venue for a great city.
