The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Chinese New Year Cup lifts post-Messi Hong Kong as crowds thrill to Rivaldo, Francesco Totti

No expensive no-shows as over 20,000 flock to Hong Kong Stadium and banish some of the anguish felt there nine days earlier

World Legends team featuring an array of past World Cup winners turn on the style to beat Hong Kong Legends and win over the public

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Rivaldo of the World Legends team takes pleases fans during the prize presentation at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 10:00pm, 13 Feb 2024Updated: 10:08am, 14 Feb 2024

Laughter, cheers and wows were in abundant supply for Hong Kong football fans on Tuesday as the FWD Insurance Chinese New Year Cup wrapped up a trilogy of football events and began to displace memories of Lionel Messi’s now infamous no-show.

Nine days after Hong Kong Stadium was the scene of anger and anguish prompted by Inter Miami’s appearance without Messi, the mood at the venue was restored to that of 3½ weeks ago, when retired Liverpool and Manchester United stars were joined by the impressive former Ballon d’Or winner Luis Figo.

This time, “marquee players” were plentiful thanks to an array of World Cup winners led by Rivaldo and Francesco Totti, who helped a World Legends team defeat Hong Kong Legends 7-3.

Hong Kong’s leader John Lee Ka-chiu and Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung were among a 20,340 crowd able to enjoy the entertainment as billed.

Francesco Totti of the World Legends tries a shot at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Fans wearing the jerseys of Liverpool, United, Roma and Inter Milan were making their way from Causeway Bay subway station over two hours before the early evening kick-off, while young lovebirds donning Juventus jerseys with Alessandro del Piero’s name on their backs showed who was the object of their affections on a breezy final public holiday before many returned to work.