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Lionel Messi's recent visit to Hong Kong has sparked controversy after he opted to remain on the bench during a friendly match between his team, Miami International, and the Hong Kong All Stars. The decision to exclude the superstar from the game has left many fans disappointed and questioning the intentions behind his visit.

On February 4th, the much-anticipated match took place at the Hong Kong Stadium, with thousands of fans eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the football legend. However, disappointment soon turned to frustration when Messi's name was not listed among the starting eleven, nor was it announced that he would be an unused substitute.

According to Chinese media reports, a total of 38 official complaints were lodged against the organizers of the event, with 29 coming from local consumers and the remaining nine from foreign tourists. The combined value of the complaints amounted to over 2 million Hong Kong dollars - highlighting the level of dissatisfaction amongst the audience.

Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's daughter, Leung Chai-yan, also expressed her disappointment on social media, describing the situation as "unbelievably rude." Chai-yan, who was fortunate enough to acquire tickets through a personal connection, wrote, "I feel extremely lucky to be one of the people who only got the ticket because of the relationship, but this is beyond understanding and imagination."

The backlash from fans and public figures has made headlines in Greater China and Japan. Some netizens in the Chinese social media platform Weibo expressed concerns about Messi's status in the upcoming match in Tokyo, Japan. One user wrote, "Because of Messi's absence in the Hong Kong match, I feel really worried about whether or not he will play in Tokyo," while another added, "At least in Tokyo, there will be lots of reporters, so if Messi doesn't play again, there will be big news."

Meanwhile, some fans in Hong Kong also took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction. One user wrote, "Messi really let down the fans today. The game ended without him even coming on for a few minutes." Another user commented, "I think it's fair to say that today, Messi disappointed many fans."

However, not all fans were disappointed, as some argued that the decision to sit out the match was a practical one, given his recent injury. One user wrote, "Messi missed the game because he needed some rest due to his injuries." Another user agreed, saying, "It's a friendly match, and he probably didn't want to aggravate his injuries."

In light of the controversy, the Hong Kong SAR government expressed their disappointment and stated that they would be reviewing their sponsorship of the match. According to Reuters news agency, the government had provided a 16 million Hong Kong dollar (approximately 1.9 million US dollars) sponsorship for the event.

The organizers of the match have yet to comment on the complaints or the controversy surrounding Messi's absence. However, the incident has sparked a debate on the role of celebrities in events and the expectations of fans when attending such events.

In summary, Messi's recent visit to Hong Kong has been marred by controversy due to his decision to sit out the friendly match against the Hong Kong All Stars. Fans and public figures alike have expressed their disappointment and frustration with the situation, leading to a review of the government's sponsorship of the event. Regardless of the reasons behind Messi's absence, the incident serves as a reminder of the high expectations and responsibilities that come with being a global sports icon.