Hong Kong government demands an explanation after Messi missed Miami‘s friendly

Hong Kong's government has demanded an explanation from organizers after Lionel Messi sat out Inter Miami's friendly there on Sunday, despite the World Cup winner featuring heavily in advertising.

Furious fans booed David Beckham, Inter Miami president and co-owner, as he greeted the 40,000 strong crowd afterwards and thanked them for their 'incredible welcome'.

The Manchester United and England legend was roundly jeered during his speech after fans paid as much as $460 for a glimpse of Messi in action.

The World Cup-winning captain, who has a hamstring strain, stayed rooted to the bench throughout alongside Luis Suarez.

Echoing the fans' anger, the Hong Kong government said it could withdraw $2million of funding to the organizers that helped bring Inter Miami to the city.

'The organizer owes all football fans an explanation,' it said.

It was reportedly made clear to fans when they purchased tickets that there would be no refunds issued if Messi didn't play.

Miami coach Gerardo Martino said the club's medical team had taken the decision after an assessment on Sunday morning.

'We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi),' Martino told reporters.

'We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness.

'We wish we could have sent Leo on for at least a while but the risk was too big.'

The 36-year-old Messi played just six minutes in Miami's last match, in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and now faces a race against time to be fit for the new MLS season that starts on February 21.

Halfway through the second half, chants of 'We want Messi' rose around the Hong Kong Stadium from fans desperate to see the greatest footballer of his generation in the much-hyped exhibition game.

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