On February 4, a sell-out crowd paid HK$880 ($110) to watch Lionel Messi play, but he was confined to the bench due to injury. If they don't file a lawsuit, fans who bought tickets to see Lionel Messi in Hong Kong, but he decided not to play in the friendly, will receive a 50% refund. A sold-out crowd paid HK$880 ($110) when the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner took on Hong Kong's selected eleven in an Inter Miami tour match on February 4.

However, the 36-year-old Argentine was forced to sit out the game due to an injury, which caused the crowd to jeer. This led to a backlash in China, where some perceived his absence as a political slight. Tatler Asia, the match's organiser, announced on Monday that "those who purchased tickets through official channels for the match" will receive a 50% refund.

Accepting terms and conditions that include refraining from "proceedings before any court of law, tribunal (or) regulatory authority" is required of those who wish to receive a portion of their money back.

However, the 36-year-old Argentinian was forced to stop the match due to an injury that caused the crowd to jeer. This led to a backlash in China, where some saw his absence as a political affront.

Those wishing to get some of their money back are required to accept conditions that include refraining from "proceeding before any court, tribunal (or) regulatory body".

The day after the match, Tatler, under fire for its handling of the mess, withdrew its proposal for HK$16 million in government funding to sponsor the event. After Hong Kong, Inter Miami travelled to Japan, where Messi played 30 minutes in a friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, much to the chagrin of the Chinese fans.