MESSI DOESN'T PLAY IN SOLD-OUT HONG KONG MATCH
<p><b>--SUPERS</b>--</p>\n<p>:00 - :06</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout</p>\n<p>CNN Correspondent</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>Hong Kong</p>\n<p></p>\n<p>:59 - 1:05</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung</p>\n<p>Head of Hong Kong Argentina Football Team Supporters Club</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--LEAD IN</b>--</p>\n<p>LIONEL MESSI LEFT FANS WANTING A LOT MORE AFTER HE SHOWED UP IN HONG KONG FOR A PRESEASON FOOTBALL MATCH.</p>\n<p>THE SUPERSTAR DIDN'T PLAY WHEN HIS INTER MIAMI SQUAD TOOK ON A TEAM OF LOCAL HONG KONG STANDOUTS.</p>\n<p>THE GAME DREW SOME 40-THOUSAND FANS, AND MANY OF THEM SAY THEY WANT A REFUND.</p>\n<p>CNN’S KRISTIE LU STOUT HAS MORE.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS</b>--</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: Yeah. What was initially Messi mania here in Hong Kong has turned into Messi disappointment. You know tonight, some 40,000 fans clamoring here for the opportunity to see the Argentine football legend but he was a no show on the pitch. Initially, there were cheers in the stands. It turned to jeers and boos even chanting up, ‘where is messy’ and ‘refund, refund, refund.’ Fans came here tonight because they wanted to see Messi play with his team Inter Miami in a preseason friendly against Hong Kong. This is Inter Miami's first ever international tour, its co-owner David Beckham also in the house as well. But when Messi failed to get up from the bench, the mood inside Hong Kong stadium, maximum capacity, 40,000 people all sold out, the mood soured, the crowds have been leaving disappointed. And joining me now is a super fan here in Hong Kong, Christer Leung, who is the head of the Hong Kong Argentina Team Support Federation, the big club here. How are you feeling tonight?</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung: Very disappointed as everyone else here is. However, I am, I am not super disappointed that he didn't play because I know he's suffering from injury and he's getting older, so he needs more rest.</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: How did you feel when people started saying ‘refund, refund, refund?’</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung: I didn't like that at all. I expected it but I didn't like it and I wish it didn't continue for so long. I think they got the message. I mean, David heard it and I couldn't hear what Beckham was saying at all because they were so loud. The boos were loud.</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: But people paid a lot for these tickets.</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung: Yes and so did I, they weren't cheap, most expensive football ticket ever in Hong Kong, I believe. Um so I, I totally understand the sentiments and the disappointment.</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: And how much did you pay for your ticket?</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung: Mine was 2280 I think.</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: And you didn't get to see your hero. You named your son after Lionel Messi. You didn't get to see him tonight. How are you feeling?</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung: Very far away, and he's on the bench. I am like I said, I am extremely disappointed but I'm not about to, you know, I won't boo him. I don't think that I'll ever do or anybody. </p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: You will still be a Messi fan. What about how is Inter Miami as a brand going to do in Asia after this?</p>\n<p>Christer Jorge Leung: I will support whoever Messi plays for. But I think many people, you might see people burning jerseys for social media. You never know, right. But I heard people saying I'm going to sell my Messi Jersey and buy Ronaldo Jersey. So, I mean, I won't do any of that but I think it would definitely hurt the inter Miami brand, but they are one of the most, I guess club with the most money in MLS. So I think if they play their cards right and buy some players, they can rebuild the brand. But yeah, it definitely hurts.</p>\n<p>Kristie Lu Stout: Thank you very much indeed for that. You know, the Hong Kong government here, they were also hoping that this event would be a major draw that would turn Hong Kong into a hub for major events across the region. When you talk to the fans, it's never about the economy. It's all about the beautiful game, about the chance to see their beloved Lionel Messi on the pitch and that was a dream that was denied tonight. Back to you.</p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>-----END-----CNN.SCRIPT-----</b></p>\n<p></p>\n<p><b>--KEYWORD TAGS--</b></p>\n<p>LIONEL MESSI INTER MIAMI CF SPORTS FOOTBALL SOCCER HONG KONG ASIA</p>