A possible Puskas nominee as the golden boot leader, Lionel Messi’s absence, and a historic win over China — The development of football in Hong Kong

It was a close to capacity crowd of 38,323 at the Hong Kong Stadium for a friendly between Hong Kong XI vs Inter Miami. The tourists started the match with Champions League winners Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets on the bench. But, all eyes were focussed on the most decorated man in football history — Lionel Messi.

But Messi wasn’t doing much. In fact, he wasn’t doing anything at all. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, World Cup champion and greatest player of all time was gazing onto the pitch from the bench.

Everyone could see him, but as the minutes ticked away the chance to see him play felt more and more fleeting. And as the clock wound down, the disappointment from the crowd became more apparent. Boos continued as a sense of resignation loomed to the final whistle. When it eventually sounded, the expectant crowd was left perturbed at the absence of Lionel Messi. Pressure mounted to such a degree that some fans asked for a refund. A 50% refund was awarded, according to the match organizer.

Football is growing in Hong Kong. The government launched ‘Project Phoenix’ in 2010. It is a plan to reform the federation, promote youth development and enhance women’s football. An appearance from Messi could have provided an extra push for the growth experienced across 14 years. Seeing arguably the best player of all time play, could have provided more inspiration for new generations coming forward.

The Hong Kong national team was able to defeat bitter rivals, China, in a closed door friendly, 2-1, on January 1st. It is the country’s first win over China in 29 years. A landmark victory like this could provide a huge boost to the following of the national team and fandom surrounding the sport on a national level.

This region and mainland China are tense adversaries. Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China and the Chinese government still retains the ability to enforce laws in Hong Kong. 

China has even forced Hong Kong’s sporting bodies to add China to their name. Fans eagerly rushed to get jerseys in 2023 that were made without China associated. There is a level of passion and reverence to the national team’s identity. 

One fan told the Hong Kong Free Press the shirt had “no design”, but he wanted to purchase the shirt due to it being the last version before the name change associated with China. 

In June 2019, protests began in reaction to a proposed extradition bill from mainland Chinese authorities. Fears arose that Hong Kongers would be left susceptible to a flawed justice system in the eyes of some people.

China had a conviction rate of 99.98% in 2022. This number has risen since its percentage of 99.96% in 2019, according to Safeguard Defenders.

Defendants are rarely ever acquitted. 

There is a level of freedom often associated with Hong Kong not found in China. Hong Kongers are issued different passports from Chinese citizens. The Hong Kong Bill of Rights protects the ability to express political views on websites and certain sites on the internet are not regulated. 

The Hong Kong economy is ranked as the world’s most ‘free’ economy in regards to government regulation.

These are all opposites to China that has a sense of more restrictive views on their society.

The national team feels like a lifeline for fans to support Hong Kong as an autonomous entity. 

The Hong Kong national team failed to make it out of the group stages of this year’s AFC Asian Cup after three consecutive defeats. Hong Kong has never qualified for a World Cup throughout the nation’s history.  

Will this be a pivotal moment for the sport in the region?

Building a greater individual and sovereign identity for the domestic league feels could be a pre-eminent factor.

This is true even for the country’s most elite players. Mikael Severo, an attacking midfielder for Kitchee, a club in the Hong Kong Premier League, was selected to the Hong Kong XI, and would have experienced a once in a lifetime moment of sharing a field with someone he called “an alien”, emphasizing Messi’s otherworldly powers with an emoji over text.

“Unfortunately he couldn’t play, but he was there and we were able to be close to him,” Severo says. 

Photo from Mikael Severo

There was the same palpable tension for Inter Miami’s training session. Fans nearly packed the stadium. There was an electric ovation from the fans who were only able to watch an injured Lionel Messi stretch. 

🚨Watch: This is just Inter Miami and Lionel Messi training in Hong Kong 🇭🇰

Insane. Incredible. 🐐🙌
pic.twitter.com/qDrHGjwbhx

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) February 3, 2024

Inter Miami won the match 4-1. Despite the result, Severo said that the Hong Kong XI was “lucky” to play in a huge atmosphere, and the fans were very happy to see Messi and Suarez.

Severo believes the pandemic hindered the growth of the sport slightly in the region.

“I think the pandemic got in the way, but it’s getting better every year,” Severo says.

Severo secured his place in the side off the back of his scintillating form in the Hong Kong Premier League. He is currently the leading goalscorer of the Hong Kong Premier League this season with 11 goals and has also scored in the AFC Champions League.

Photo from Mikael Severo

But the quality of one single strike helped to elevate his profile in world football. 

In the 56th minute of Kitchee’s opening group stage match in the AFC Champions League against Jeonbuk Hyundai, Severo awkwardly controlled the ball from a throw-in. The ball popped up above his head and he leapt up to strike a bicycle kick from an acute angle. His strike nestled into the back of the net after slightly ricocheting off the post.

https://twitter.com/DaniDeuder/status/1704537363077050811

Severo scored from an acute angle. He was practically at the byline when he attempted his shot.

“It was one of the most incredible goals I scored, it was pure emotion,” Severo says.

The goal could be an outside candidate to win the Puskas award. 

FIFA established this annual honor to celebrate the best or most ‘aesthetically pleasing’ goal scored in the calendar year. An achievement of this magnitude could boost the profile of football in Hong Kong and Severo’s profile.

After playing in Brazil for six seasons, Severo transferred to Yuen Long, a team in Hong Kong, during the 2019/20 season. He described football in Brazil as “very strong competitions and a lot of quality”. He was ready for something new.

“I wanted to change things up and try something in Asia, Hong Kong was the door that opened for me,” he says.

Photo from Mikael Severo

In 2022, Severo transferred to Kitchee, a club in Hong Kong. There are currently eight players that are Brazilian or have Brazilian descent; it is an environment that helped him to settle in.

“Kitchee is one of the best clubs in the country, it has many Brazilian players,” Severo added. “So, it becomes a little easier to adapt.”

Kitchee has won 12 league titles and seven Hong Kong FA Cups. The club is regarded as one of the biggest clubs in Hong Kong and the only club from Hong Kong to win a match in the AFC Champions League group stage. Additionally, they are the only club to advance to the Round of 16 of the competition. 

Photo from Mikael Severo

The most famous South American to play for the club is Diego Forlan in 2018. Kitchee is the last club Forlan played for before retiring. 

The growth of the game has helped the domestic league. Kitchee currently sit in 2nd of the Hong Kong Premier League and are seeking to defend their league title from last season. They are currently only one point behind league leaders Lee Man. 

A well developed youth to professional system within the nation could see Hong Kong emerge past China and level with other perennial powers on the continent.

Mikael Severo’s goal, Messi’s absence, and a historic win over China could be an intertwined launching pad for the emergence of the sport in the region for years to come.