Thousands of football fans decided not to take any chances on Sunday, turning up at the Hong Kong Stadium hours ahead of the arrival of Argentine football star Lionel Messi for an exhibition match.

The game, between Messi's Inter Miami and a Hong Kong team made up of local premier league players, was scheduled to kick off at 4pm.

Many fans arrived before midday, even though the stadium gates were not yet open.

Jacey Aviles was among the crowd, having flown in from Miami to cheer for his team.

"So for us, it's the pre-season friendly games. They played in El Salvador, then in Dallas and now in Hong Kong. They'll finish their games in Tokyo, then back home," he told RTHK.

"I got here on Thursday so I did a tour around the city for a little bit and then I was here for the practice game yesterday and the game today."

Arrel from Shanghai flew to Hong Kong to see Messi after watching the recent Inter Miami game in Saudi Arabia.

He said he has been a fan of the player for a decade.

"As they approach the twilight of their careers, I want to seize the last opportunity to see them play. I like Messi the most as he is the king of football. I admire his diligence and he is really hard working."

But it wasn't just Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and the other Inter Miami players drawing in the crowds, with some of those in the queue also looking forward to seeing a Hong Kong superstar.

"Super excited for the coming of Messi, but also the performance of Anson Lo," a woman named Coffee told RTHK.

The singer from local boyband Mirror was set to perform ahead of the match.

Coffee and her friends said they were also there for the football, of course, and to support Hong Kong.

Supporting the local players was also what brought Fung, in his red Hong Kong shirt, to the stadium.

"I am also a Messi fan, but Hong Kong is fighting an international team, I need to come and support," he said.