Football legend Lionel Messi, who created a media storm in the city earlier this year for sitting out in a long-awaited game, emerged as the most searched local news topic on Google by Hongkongers in 2024, according to the internet giant.
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Messi turned from a heartthrob to an object of anger in just a few days during his visit to Hong Kong in February after failing to play in a friendly match against a select team from the Hong Kong Premier League.
Messi, who was with Inter Miami at the time, sat out the entire game, triggering anger among fans who had paid to see him play.
The controversy escalated when it was revealed that public funds had been used to organise the event, prompting calls for refunds and tighter criteria for financing future mega-events.
Meanwhile, the United States presidential election, won by Donald Trump, was the top trending keyword search in Hong Kong this year, according to Google.
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It was followed by Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, an action film set in the Kowloon Walled City that hit cinemas in May.