Inter Miami’s first victory of the season without Messi ended up taking a backseat. The North American team entered the field last Sunday (4), and faced and beat the Hong Kong team, a team made up of the best players in the local league.
Messi’s absence in a friendly match
Even with Messi’s absence, the Miami team achieved their first victory of the season. The team came from three games and just one victory, also suffering a devastating defeat against the Saudi team Al-Nassr.
The game in general wasn’t great, a fairly easy 4-1 victory. Goals were scored by; Finn Robert Taylor, Lawson Sunderland, and Leonardo Campana. Ryan Sailor scored the team’s fourth with a header, giving the final numbers to the match. Hong Kong’s goal was scored in the first half by Henri Anier.
Disgruntled fans began to boo and criticize the Argentine player’s absence even around the match stadium. Messi did not enter the field and also did not appear in the celebration granted by the Chinese government at the end of the game.
According to Hong Kong’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Kevin Yeung, it was agreed with Tatler Asia, the company organizing the friendly, that Messi would play at least 45 minutes against the local team.
Chinese government takes a stand
“When the 2nd half started without Messi, we immediately asked the organizers for a position, asking them to speak to Inter Miami so that Messi could play as quickly as possible. We were later informed by Tatler Asia that Messi would not play because he was injured…” he said. the minister.
The minister also made it clear that he needed explanations and will demand action from the organizers of the confrontation. In a statement, Yeung said he was very disappointed that Messi did not play. In addition to regretting the fact that the organizers did not give a clear explanation about everything.
“Many Hong Kong fans were looking forward to the match, and many tourists traveled with the specific intention of watching this match. The Government and all football fans are disappointed with the fact that Messi did not play and did not interact with fans even after requests made to the organization”, he wrote.
Messi regrets what happened
According to the Argentine, he suffered an injury during his participation in the recent friendly against Al-Nassr and preferred not to take any risks in Hong Kong. He also said that hopes to be able to play the last game of the pre-season before returning to the US.
“It was very unlucky that I couldn’t play. Felt pain in my adductor while I was in Saudi Arabia. I had an MRI and the exam showed that I had edema, but it wasn’t a serious injury. I trained and tried to be in the next game, but It didn’t work,” he reported.
Inter Miami still has two more preparation games before the start of the current MLS season. Next Wednesday, the team faces Vissel Kobe at 7 am at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo. On February 15, the opponent will be Newell’s Old Boys, the club that revealed Messi at DRV PNK in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.