Lionel Messi shambles could have been avoided. Hong Kong’s former Manchester United player Charlie Scott explains how
- Charlie Scott was a member of the local XI who faced Inter Miami in the doomed friendly in Hong Kong
- Midfielder Scott defends Inter co-owner David Beckham, saying, ‘It was not his fault, booing him was wrong’
One of Hong Kong’s leading footballers says a gentleman’s agreement could have coaxed Lionel Messi on to the pitch during Inter Miami’s match in the city and averted the fury over the Argentinian’s no-show.
Kitchee midfielder Charlie Scott played the second half for the local league XI against Inter at a packed Hong Kong Stadium, and insisted his team would have agreed to treat Messi with kid gloves if the 36-year-old had appeared for a late cameo to satisfy fans.
Scott added that assembling a mishmash league select was “pointless”, and local football might have gained more from sending out the Hong Kong national team or one of the city’s leading clubs. But he felt the Messi situation could have been resolved before kick-off.
“They could have told us, ‘Messi will play the final 10 minutes, but he is injured. Don’t tackle him too hard, or go in 100 per cent against him. Let him have the ball, and pass it and move,’” Scott said.
“We would have accepted that for the fans to see him play.
“From a footballer’s perspective, we were playing against Inter Miami, not against Lionel Messi. But the fans paid a lot of money, and many of them travelled a long way, to watch one player, not Inter Miami. It was sad he did not play, or at least get on the mic to say a few words.”
After 15 years with Manchester United, Scott was understandably thrilled to meet an Old Trafford idol, in Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
And he defended the role of Beckham in the Messi farrago, after the ex-England captain became a lightning rod for spectators’ anger at full-time.
“I think he is being wrongly criticised,” Scott said. “It was not his fault, and I thought booing him was wrong. He showed respect by thanking the fans, and saying he loved Hong Kong and hoped to be back.
“He was such a nice guy. In the tunnel before the game, he had his picture with every Hong Kong player – there must have been a queue of about 50.”
Scott collared Inter’s marquee players for selfies, too, with one exception.
“I didn’t bother asking Messi, because he didn’t seem approachable,” Scott said.
“A few of the players did, but in some of the pictures he wasn’t looking at the camera, and in others wasn’t smiling.
“I didn’t want to get a picture with him if he didn’t want to be there.”
Playing in front of 38,000 people, regardless of Messi not joining the fray, whetted Scott’s appetite for more such occasions.
“It would have been nice to tell the grandkids I played against the player I think is the best ever, but it is not all about that,” Scott said.
“It was brilliant sharing a pitch with Sergio Busquets. I used to be on YouTube every day watching him. But I’m professional, and not star-struck. They are the opposition, and you are trying to beat each other.
“I want to play against quality players in front of big crowds every week. Attendances in Hong Kong are nowhere near where they should be. The game needs much better promotion.”
