Lionel Messi of Inter Miami arrives with the US Inter Miami CF team at Hong Kong International Airport on Feb 2, 2024. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - A warm welcome awaited soccer superstar Lionel Messi who, together with his Inter Miami CF teammates, arrived in Hong Kong on Friday.

Inter Miami, a soccer club from Major League Soccer in the United States, will play a long-awaited one-off exhibition match at the Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday against a selection of invited Hong Kong players. As part of the event, the Miami team will also hold an open training session on Saturday.

China Daily photographer Parker Zheng took the photos.

Luis Suarez (left) and Lionel Messi arrive at the Hong Kong International airport with US Inter Miami CF team on Feb 2, 2024. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

A welcoming ceremony is held for US Inter Miami CF team at the Hong Kong International Airport on Feb 2, 2024. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)