Lionel Messi in Hong Kong: Argentina star still on subs’ bench, Inter Miami lead 3-1

We’ve had the aperitif and the appetiser, now it’s time for the main course. Inter Miami are taking on a Hong Kong XI on Sunday, and there is no question who the 40,000 fans have come to see.

Lionel Messi may be in the twilight of his great career, but what a career. World Cup winner, eight Ballon d’Or awards, Olympic gold, Champions Leagues, La Liga titles, the Copa America crown, there is nothing he hasn’t achieved.

For his legions of fans, the 36-year-old is the greatest to have ever played the game, with the tens of thousands who turned out on Saturday just to watch him stretch and gently jog around Hong Kong Stadium testament to that.

They will be hoping for a bit more this time around of course, although the likes of Luis Suarez, Jordi Abla and Sergio Busquets are no slouches themselves.

Local stars G.E.M, Gareth T and Mirror member Keung To earlier entertained a crowd that includes the city’s leader John Lee. Follow us for live coverage of the day’s events.

Reporting by Josh Ball, Ezra Cheung, Paul McNamara, Connor Mycroft and Mike Chan