Argentine star Messi missed the exhibition match between Inter Miami and Hong Kong Stars on the 4th. Three days later, he played 30 minutes in the exhibition match between Japan and Vissel Kobe, during which he "walked like flying". According to reports from many Hong Kong media including Sing Tao Network on the 8th, when the Hong Kong Immigration Department reviewed its work in 2023 today (8th), it was asked whether, as a department that prevents unwelcome people or endangering national security from coming to Hong Kong, it would refuse to wholesale visas for Messi in the future.
In response, Hong Kong Director of Immigration Kwok Chun-feng said that every tourist coming to Hong Kong is handled in accordance with current laws and policies. He will not comment on individual individuals, but understands the dissatisfaction of the public.
On the 8th, Hong Kong Director of Immigration Kwok Chun-feng reviewed the work in 2023 at a press conference. Photo from Hong Kong media
According to the report, the convener of the Executive Council, Sandra Yip, who was the director of Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, posted a post on the social platform
According to previous reports, an exhibition match between Major League Soccer's Inter Miami and Japanese J-League team Vissel Kobe was held at the Tokyo National Arena on the 7th. Messi, who did not appear in the Hong Kong exhibition match, came on as a substitute in the 60th minute. This means that Messi played in a total of 5 of Inter Miami's 6 preseason games and only missed the game against the Hong Kong Stars.
Inter Miami played an exhibition match against Vissel Kobe in Japan on February 7. Messi came on as a substitute in the second half. Picture from foreign media