After leaving fans guessing about whether or not he would take to the pitch, Lionel Messi came on in the 60th minute in Inter Miami’s friendly match in Tokyo on Wednesday, thrilling locals but angering fans in Hong Kong, where he failed to play at a weekend game.
The 36-year-old’s no-show at the highly anticipated match in Hong Kong on Sunday caused a furore that has shown no sign of waning, with fans still demanding answers and a refund three days on.
Inter Miami’s opponent, J-League champion Vissel Kobe, won Wednesday’s match 4-3 in a penalty shootout after 90 minutes of play ended in a 0-0 draw. Messi, a record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, did not take part in the shootout.
While the sold-out match in Hong Kong drew 40,000 fans, the Japan National Stadium was less than half full with just 28,614 in attendance.
“I couldn’t help but start laughing when (Luis) Suarez, (Sergio) Busquets, (Jordi) Alba – all main players – were in the game,” Tweety, a Hong Kong resident who watched Wednesday’s match online, told Reuters.
“Messi really likes the Japanese fans more by playing 30 minutes.”
With no Messi on the pitch for the first half, the silence at the Tokyo stadium was deafening at times during the mostly uninspiring match.
The loudest cheers erupted when the Argentine World Cup winner’s face was shown on the big screen as he sat on the bench. The mood shifted palpably when he started warming up shortly after halftime, and even more once he took to the field.
“It was thrilling,” said Chris Mohler, an American living in Tokyo. “The second half with Messi coming in, you could just feel like a jolt of electricity to go through the place.”
Some fans in Hong Kong lashed out at the perceived injustice, commenting on Inter Miami’s YouTube livestream posting: “Refund refund refund refund refund” and “Arrest Messi under National Security Law.”
Even Hong Kong’s sports bureau weighed in, saying in an emailed response to Reuters that the government was “extremely disappointed” that Messi did not play in Hong Kong on Sunday.
“The coach…announced in Hong Kong on February 4 that Messi could not play due to injury, but three days later, Messi acted freely and played in Japan, and did a lot of intense sports on the football field,” the bureau wrote.
“Hong Kong citizens have lots of questions.”
Speaking to media in the mixed zone after the match on Wednesday, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said the decision to play Messi for 30 minutes was made after the training session a day earlier.
“We are grateful to the people of Hong Kong, and we definitely understand the disappointment because (Messi) could not participate,” he said. “But it really was an enormous risk even playing him for a few minutes.”
UAE fast bowler Khuzaima Tanveer has credited the DP World ILT20 with accelerating his rise to international cricket, saying the league gave him the confidence and experience needed to represent the UAE on the global stage.
The 26-year-old, who made his international debut earlier this year, believes competing alongside some of the world’s top cricketers helped prepare him for the demands of international cricket.
“Representing the UAE was a proud moment for me and it’s something every young cricketer dreams about. The DP World ILT20 helped prepare me because you’re constantly competing against high-quality players. It gives you confidence that you belong on the international stage,” he said.
Breakthrough performances
Khuzaima announced himself during DP World ILT20 Season 3 with impressive figures of 4/22 against Sharjah Warriorz.
Since joining the Desert Vipers, he has claimed 24 wickets in 18 matches across two seasons. During the Vipers’ title-winning campaign, he finished with 17 wickets, making him the second-highest UAE wicket-taker in the tournament and third overall. He was also shortlisted for the Blue Belt, awarded to the competition’s best UAE player.
Learning from the world’s best
Khuzaima said one of the league’s biggest advantages is the opportunity to learn from elite players and coaches.
“A lot of the learning happens during training sessions, team meetings and conversations. I was fortunate to share the dressing room with Sam Curran, Naseem Shah and Lockie Ferguson. Even small pieces of advice from players like them help you become a better cricketer.”
He also described interacting with legendary fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram as one of the highlights of his career.
Inspired, not compared
While fans have compared his bowling action to Pakistan legend Waqar Younis, Khuzaima insists he is focused on building his own identity.
“Waqar Younis is a legend of the game. If people see similarities, I take it as a compliment, but my focus is on becoming the best version of myself.”
Eyes on future
Now a UAE international, Khuzaima says wearing the national jersey comes with greater responsibility.
“Once you represent the UAE, people expect more from you and you expect more from yourself. My aim is to keep improving, perform consistently and contribute whenever I get the opportunity.”
He also praised UAE captain Muhammad Waseem for setting an example for local players, saying his performances in the DP World ILT20 have shown that Emirati cricketers can compete with the world’s best.
Looking ahead to DP World ILT20 Season 5, Khuzaima hopes to continue developing his game and make the most of every opportunity.
“Every season brings new challenges and new opportunities to learn. My goal is to keep improving, contribute to my team and continue making the most of the opportunities the DP World ILT20 provides.”
Football fans travelling with Emirates this summer won’t have to worry about missing any FIFA World Cup 2026 action. Dubai’s flagship airline Emirates, has announced that it will broadcast every match of the tournament live onboard its flights through Sport24, its dedicated live sports channel available on the award-winning ice entertainment system.
Passengers will be able to follow every moment of the world’s biggest football tournament while flying at 40,000 feet. The move ensures customers can stay connected to the action no matter where they are travelling, with live coverage available throughout the competition.
Emirates said the complete FIFA World Cup 2026 broadcast schedule is featured its ice magazine, allowing passengers to plan their journeys around key fixtures and follow their favourite teams during the tournament.
The live coverage will be available on most Emirates aircraft equipped with Sport24 and Sport24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup matches will also be shown in Emirates Lounges across Dubai, giving travellers additional opportunities to catch the action before departure.
Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca was transformed into a global stage on Thursday Night as the FIFA World Cup 2026 officially got underway, marking the beginning of the biggest edition in the tournament’s history.
A vibrant opening ceremony showcased a blend of Mexican culture, music and modern spectacle, with performances from international stars including Shakira and Burna Boy. The ceremony was designed to reflect both the heritage of the host nation and the global nature of the tournament, which for the first time will be staged across three countries — Mexico, the United States and Canada.
Before the first whistle of the competition, the atmosphere inside the historic stadium reached a crescendo as thousands of fans filled the stands, waving flags and lighting up the arena in a sea of colour. The Estadio Azteca, already steeped in football history, has now become the first venue in the world to host matches across three separate FIFA World Cups, having previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals.
In a further highlight of the ceremony, Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli performed the tournament’s official anthem, adding a classical flourish to an evening otherwise defined by high-energy performances and large-scale choreography.
FIFA officials described the opening event as a “symbolic bridge between continents”, underlining the expanded format of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams — up from 32 — and a total of 104 matches, spread across 16 host cities across North America. The expansion is intended to increase global participation and bring the tournament to a wider range of supporters.
Immediately after the ceremony, hosts Mexico faced South Africa in the tournament’s opening match, kicking off what is expected to be a month-long football spectacle. The match began under heavy security and heightened global attention, with millions watching around the world.
The expanded format has also brought logistical challenges, with teams required to travel across vast distances between venues in multiple countries. Organisers have emphasised investments in transport infrastructure, stadium upgrades and sustainability measures aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the tournament.
The 2026 edition also arrives at a time when football’s global profile continues to grow rapidly, with record broadcast deals, increased digital streaming access and heightened commercial interest from sponsors. Analysts expect the tournament to break previous viewership records, particularly given its tri-nation hosting model and expanded team lineup.
Estadio Azteca itself remains one of football’s most storied venues. It famously hosted Brazil’s Pelé lifting the trophy in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” performances in 1986. Its role in opening the 2026 tournament has been widely seen as a nod to football’s rich history in Mexico, while also signalling a new era for the sport.
As fireworks lit up the Mexico City skyline following the ceremony, attention now turns to the next phase of the tournament’s opening schedule, with matches set to continue across North America in what promises to be the most geographically expansive World Cup ever staged.
For fans, players and organisers alike, the message from Mexico City was clear: the world’s biggest sporting event has begun, and it is set to be bigger, broader and more ambitious than ever before.
Entertainment5 months ago
Announcements5 months ago
News6 months ago