A group of eager fans in Hong Kong ventured up a mountain with the hopes of witnessing Lionel Messi in action, only to be disappointed as he remained on the bench for Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi is currently in the Far East as part of Inter Miami’s extensive pre-season tour. However, his playing time has been limited due to an injury. In a friendly match against Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Messi only played for seven minutes, and notably, he did not share the field with his perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fans in Hong Kong had eagerly anticipated the return of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner to their region. Unfortunately, Messi remained on the bench throughout the match, serving as an unused substitute alongside Luis Suarez. Inter Miami secured a 4-1 victory.

Despite purchasing expensive tickets, the spectators inside the stadium voiced their frustration at not witnessing Messi’s appearance on the pitch. Outside the stadium, some fans climbed a nearby mountain in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the legendary figure.

In their continued pre-season tour, Inter Miami is set to face the Japanese team Vissel Kobe on Wednesday in Asia. Following this, they will return to the United States for a home match against Newell’s Old Boys and the commencement of the 2024 MLS season on February 21.