Organisers of a Hong Kong football match which drew boos after star man Lionel Messi failed to play said Monday they deeply regretted the no-show, and would withdraw a bid for a HK$16 million ($2 million) government grant.

Lionel Messi and David Beckham were booed on Sunday after the Argentina superstar sat out Inter Miami's pre-season friendly in Hong Kong.

Tens of thousands of football fans turned out to see Lionel Messi train with his Inter Miami teammates in Hong Kong on Saturday, as "Messi mania" took hold of the city.

Star French striker Kylian Mbappe can win the Ballon d'Or in "any team", Ronaldinho told AFP Sunday, but the Brazilian would like him to win it with Paris Saint-Germain, "a big club".

In a recent interview in his home country of Argentina pertaining to his availability for the 2026 World Cup, soccer superstar Lionel Messi called Major League Soccer -- his current home -- "a minor league."

Tempers had flared in the Maracana stands moments before kick-off, with Brazilian police using batons.

"This group continues to achieve historic things," Messi said.

If the jerseys indeed fetch above $10 million, that could make the sale the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever auctioned off, Sotheby's said.

The football star donned these shirts during the first halves of the group-stage rounds against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, as well as later games against Australia, the Netherlands and Croatia -- and the final against France.

Inter Miami saluted Argentine star Lionel Messi's eighth Ballon d'Or on Friday, but their friendly match to mark the achievement ended in a 2-1 loss to MLS rivals New York City FC.

Messi won the award for a record-extending eighth time on Monday after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar last season.

Nothing in life is certain except death, taxes, and Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d’Or. But perhaps this time, it could have been Erling Haaland.

Inter Miami said the tour's promoter had informed the club of the cancellation, adding it was "due to unforeseen circumstances in China", according to an online statement.

Lionel Messi said Monday he was not thinking about his long-term future as he sought to enjoy winning the eighth Ballon d'Or of his storied career.

"I will enjoy the holidays in Argentina. It's the first time that I am going to have more days off in December, with the holidays, with peace of mind, with my people. In January, I will return (to Miami) again to do preseason, start from scratch and prepare as best as possible as always."

The team will play two Chinese Super League teams in friendly matches, first facing Qingdao Hainiu on November 5 before playing against Chengdu Rongcheng three days later.

A third-minute goal from Nicolas Otamendi was just enough for Lionel Scaloni's team, with Lionel Messi coming off in the bench in the second half and hitting the woodwork twice.

Spanish journalist Guillem Balague reported that the global superstar isn't going anywhere except on vacation.

Argentina host Paraguay at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Friday at 5am, Bangladesh Time.

Messi missed Inter's 4-1 defeat to Chicago on Wednesday as he continues to struggle with his fitness -- he has played just 37 minutes for the club since September 3.