Hong Kong trio all want Messi shirt after Inter Miami friendly, but will settle for sharing pitch with world’s best
- Mikael Severo Burkatt, Ngan Cheuk-pan and Mahama Awal have been named in provisional 40-man squad for game on February 4
- Ngan excited by prospect of playing in front of packed out Hong Kong Stadium for first time
Three local Hong Kong players hoping to step onto the pitch against Inter Miami all want the chance to swap shirts with Lionel Messi next month.
While a 40,000 sell-out crowd is expected to pack out Hong Kong Stadium for a chance to get a glimpse of the World Cup winner on February 4, the likes of Mikael Severo Burkatt, Ngan Cheuk-pan and Mahama Awal harbour dreams of getting a lot closer.
The trio have been named in the initial 40-man squad for the game, which forms part of Tatler Xfest, and with Hong Kong’s senior side playing in the Asian Cup, have a good chance of getting to live out their dreams of sharing the same pitch with the best player ever.
Ngan said he believed he would make the cut if he continued to perform well for Sham Shui Po, where he is on loan from champions Kitchee, in the Hong Kong Premier League.
“I am really excited because this could be my first time playing against an overseas team, at a fully seated Hong Kong Stadium,” Ngan said. “This could well be Messi’s last time coming to Hong Kong too, so I am looking forward to it.”
The 25-year-old revealed he had cheered Messi on during Argentina’s pulsating World Cup win over France in 2022, and admitted the prospect of getting to “see him up close” was an exciting one.