Lionel Messi leaves open the possibility of playing in Inter Miami’s friendly in Tokyo
Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine footballer, attended a press conference at a Tokyo hotel on February 6, 2024, where he addressed his disappointing absence from a match in Hong Kong and the potential of playing in a friendly match in Tokyo.
Lionel Messi, the skipper of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Inter Miami, had left a legion of fans in Hong Kong disappointed after being benched for a highly-anticipated match at the Hong Kong Stadium. This unexpected absence has led to a public relations setback for his team and the organizers of the local event.
Speaking at the press conference, Messi cited swelling in his adductor muscle as the reason for his inability to play in the match. Despite expressing his understanding of the anticipation surrounding his presence on the pitch, he emphasized the persistent discomfort that hindered his participation in the match.
Messi’s Statement on the Possibility of Playing in Tokyo
Messi expressed hope for another opportunity to play in Hong Kong and left open the possibility of participating in Inter Miami’s friendly match against J-League champions Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. He mentioned feeling “much better” than a few days prior and expressed a strong desire to play, although the decision was contingent on his condition after the day’s training session.
Uncertainty Surrounding Messi’s Participation in the Friendly Match
The Argentine footballer remained non-committal about his involvement in the upcoming friendly match, emphasizing the need to assess his condition following the day’s training. He acknowledged the anticipation surrounding his potential participation and expressed a genuine desire to play, provided his physical state allowed for it.
Solo Press Conference for Messi
Notably, Messi spoke at the press conference alone after appearances by Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, coach Tata Martino, and teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suarez were canceled abruptly. This solitary address raised questions and added further intrigue to the situation surrounding Messi’s recent absence and potential participation in the upcoming match.
Ticket Availability for the Tokyo Match
In contrast to the sold-out crowd in Hong Kong, a sizable number of tickets were still available for the Tokyo match, despite going on sale in late December. This availability hinted at a differing level of anticipation and demand compared to the previous event, further adding to the evolving narrative surrounding Messi and Inter Miami’s engagements.
In light of these developments, the football world eagerly awaits updates on Lionel Messi’s status for the upcoming friendly match, with fans and enthusiasts hoping for a potential appearance on the pitch in Tokyo.
