Messi stays on bench at Hong Kong exhibition matchCEFR A2
5 Feb 2024
Adapted from Oiwan Lam, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Derek Tang, Unsplash
The Hong Kong government gave money near the end of November 2023 to Tatler Asia so it could organise a friendly between Miami CF and a local team. Miami CF announced its Asia tour on December 8, 2023.
Tickets for the Hong Kong match sold out within one hour and about 40,000 people attended on February 4, 2024. Rumours said Messi might be injured after Miami CF’s friendly on February 1.
Tatler Asia told fans hours before the match that Messi would appear, but Messi stayed on the bench and did not play. Fans were angry and asked for refunds.
Difficult words
- organise — Plan and run an event or activity
- friendly — A sports match that is not competitive
- announce — Tell people some news or informationannounced
- attend — Go to an event or placeattended
- rumour — A story people talk about but unconfirmedRumours
- bench — A seat for players not playing in the game
- refund — Money given back for a purchase or ticketrefunds
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- If you bought a ticket and a star player did not play, would you ask for a refund? Why?
- Why do you think Tatler Asia told fans Messi would appear before the match?
- Have you ever attended a sold out event? Describe it in one short sentence.
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