Cover Inter Miami CF arrived in Hong Kong on February 2, 2024 (Photo: Humphrey Ng/Tatler Hong Kong)
Inter Miami CF arrived in Hong Kong on February 2, 2024 (Photo: Humphrey Ng/Tatler Hong Kong)
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Tatler Asia hosted a press conference at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel, just hours after the arrival of the David Beckham-owned team, as Tatler XFEST Hong Kong weekend kicked off
Who? John Dykes, Luis Suárez, Gerardo Martino
Where? The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel
Here’s what you missed:
Tatler Asia held a press conference on February 2, to share final details ahead of Tatler XFEST, the flagship event of which is the highly anticipated Inter Miami CF vs Hong Kong match on February 4 at the iconic Hong Kong Stadium. While the press conference held on January 11 shared details such as the event’s exclusive local broadcasting partner and community initiatives, and was an opportunity for the city to hear from players from our very own specially invited Hong Kong Team, today’s event was the first time Inter Miami CF spoke to the city’s football fans since their arrival in Hong Kong just hours before.
John Dykes, veteran sports journalist and guest host for Tatler XFEST, was joined at the press conference by Luis Suárez, the legendary striker who only signed on with the team in December 2023, and Inter Miami CF’s head coach Gerardo Martino.
“It’s fantastic to be in Hong Kong right now—it’s really buzzing and feels like Asia’s world city,” said Dykes in his opening address. “Tatler XFEST is working across many layers of the community, from music to this amazing match.”
Read more: Tatler Asia announces community enrichment initiatives, official broadcaster and more
Suárez and Martino then shared their thoughts about the upcoming match.
The Uruguayan player, who is visiting Hong Kong for the first time, said he was very happy to be playing again with the team’s superstar Lionel Messi, praising the Argentinian’s game, and expressing his gratitude for being able to play with someone like him at this point in his career. The pair were teammates at Barcelona from 2014 to 2021.
Above Luis Suárez and Gerardo Martino of Inter Miami CF at the Tatler XFEST press conference (Photo: Derry Ainsworth/Tatler Hong Kong)
Luis Suárez and Gerardo Martino of Inter Miami CF at the Tatler XFEST press conference (Photo: Derry Ainsworth/Tatler Hong Kong)
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Martino said he doesn’t know much about the specially invited Hong Kong Team his players will face on Sunday, adding that, since most of the local footballers were not on the team that played at the Asian Cup, it’s difficult to gauge their game and how the match will go—but he admitted to hoping Inter Miami CF will fare better than they did in their two recent matches—against Al Hilal and then Al Nassr—in Saudi Arabia.
One thing he does know is that Inter Miami CF is keen to contribute where there is an element of community initiatives. “Tomorrow is about the children, and we’re really happy to provide help,” says Martino.
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Amalissa Hall was the style writer at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on writing digital articles, she covers news, tracks trends and interviews experts from the fashion, beauty and wellness industries, as well as entertainment spheres. Interview highlights include Formula One driver Alex Albon, award-winning costume designer Jany Temime and prolific make-up artist Lisa Eldridge.
She has also produced print stories featuring make-up artists, perfumiers and other upcoming figures discussing Asian representation on social media, sharing industry insight and trends as well as explaining new approaches to wellness in Hong Kong.
