Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s superstars are back in the USA as they have one final game of their mammoth preseason tour ahead of the 2024 MLS season kicking off on Feb. 21.
After officials in Hong Kong reacted negatively to Messi not playing there due to injury and that he didn’t address the stadium, fans were given a partial refund for their tickets as Messi played in Inter Miami’s game ay Vissel Kobe in Japan a few days later.
Inter Miami have travelled to El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan before finishing off with their preseason finale against Messi’s boyhood club from Rosario, Argentina, Newell’s Old Boys.
Messi injury update
Lionel Messi spoke in a press confernce in Tokyo ahead of Inter Miami’s game against Vissel Kobe.
“The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t be present on the day of the match in Hong Kong,” Messi explained. “In the first game of the tour in Saudi Arabia I felt discomfort in my adductor and that’s why I left the match. In the second game I played the minutes I played to test myself, to see what sensations I had and how I felt because I had an MRI done and the results showed that I had swelling in the adductor, but there was no injury. That’s why I tried.
“Then we went to Hong Kong and we were in the open training and I was present because of the number of people there and because there was also a clinic with kids and I wanted to be present and participate, but the truth is that the discomfort was still there and it made it very difficult for me to play. Unfortunately, it is something that happens in football, in any game it can happen that we get injured. It happened to me and I couldn’t be in the game in Hong Kong and it’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these types of games where we traveled so far and people were so excited to watch us play.
“I hope we can return and we can play another game in Hong Kong and I can be present as I do whenever I can, but the truth is that it is a shame that I was not able to participate. Today in the afternoon we are going to train, the first training session has already happened, and I am going to test how I’m feeling again. The truth is that I have very good sensations in comparison to the past days and depending on how it goes I will see if I play. If I’m honest, I still don’t know if I will be able to or not, but I feel much better and I really want to be able to play.”
[ MORE: Focus on Messi vs Ronaldo all-time records ]
Messi vs Ronaldo doesn’t happen as Inter Miami go global
After playing twice in Saudi Arabia and losing twice, plus missing the chance to play against Cristiano Ronaldo who was injured, Inter Miami went to Hong Kong and beat the League All Stars 4-1.
Messi didn’t feature as he sat on the bench. The Argentine superstar saw over 30,000 fans turn up to watch him train the day before the game but he didn’t play. Neither did Luis Suarez for the same reason and we will see that a lot during the 2024 MLS season as Messi (36) and Suarez (37) manage their bodies.
They then traveled to Japan to play against Vissel Kobe, captained by Messi’s long-time Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta. Messi featured as a substitute as they game ended 0-0 and Vissel Kobe won 4-3 on penalty kick. Miami finish off their preseason as they host Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys.
The preseason preparations continue to see hype build around one of the most eagerly-anticipated teams in MLS history with Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets joined by Luis Suarez for the 2024 season as the Barcelona legends are back together.
Below are details on how to watch all of the action from Messi, Suarez and Co. as Inter Miami prepare for the start of the 2024 season.
How to watch Inter Miami preseason tour
Game 1: El Salvador 0-0 Inter Miami - January 19
Game 2: FC Dallas 1-0 Inter Miami - January 22
Game 3: Al Hilal 4-3 Inter Miami - Monday (January 29)
MESSIIIIII 🎯
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 29, 2024
Clinical from the spot. Leo gets his first goal of 2024. pic.twitter.com/ifVwWl0d6W
Game 4: Al Nassr 6-0 Inter Miami - Thursday (February 1)
Game 5: Hong Kong League 1-4 Inter Miami - Sunday (February 4)
Game 6: Vissel Kobe 0-0 Inter Miami (4-3 on penalties) - Wednesday (February 7)
Game 7: Inter Miami vs Newell’s Old Boys - Thursday (February 15)
Kick off: 7:30pm ET
How to watch: Watch live on Apple TV+
