There will be a welcoming ceremony at the airport on Friday when football legend Lionel Messi arrives in Hong Kong with his Inter Miami teammates, RTHK understands.

The visitors are flying in from Saudi Arabia for a friendly on Sunday against an SAR squad featuring players from the local premier league.

Sources said government and Airport Authority officials will be among those greeting the American team on the apron.

Inter Miami will have an open training session on Saturday at the Hong Kong Stadium, and sources said club co-owner David Beckham will take part in some of the activities there.

Tourism minister Kevin Yeung said he is happy and nervous at the same time, as the occasion is finally around the corner after all the preparations.

"We think these mega sports events will appeal to local fans and create a great sporting atmosphere. In addition to appealing to locals, such events also attract tourists to come to Hong Kong," he told RTHK.

"This is good for the catering industry, and I know there are many different products out there. All this helps our economic development."

Meanwhile, the owner of a football kit shop in Mong Kok said he bought 100 new Inter Miami kits recently and is selling them for between HK$900 and HK1,500.

He said about half of them are already gone and he expects to have none left by the end of the week.

A Messi fan from Shenzhen told RTHK he has a ticket for the training session, saying he wants to see the living legend in person.

Simon Wong, who heads the Federation of Restaurants & Related Trades, said Inter Miami's visit can bring "a short-term upsurge" for eateries and hotels near the Hong Kong Stadium. He expressed the hope that there will more such events in the future.