Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s worldwide preseason tour has been eventful, but not fruitful on the pitch for the MLS squad.
Messi and Inter Miami will face Hong Kong Team inside Hong Kong Stadium at 3 a.m. ET Sunday, looking for their first win in five preseason contests.
How much will Messi play? It’s a question again after the Argentine World Cup champion and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner experienced injury discomfort during the week in Saudi Arabia.
It’s “likely” Messi will play, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said when the club arrived in Hong Kong on Friday.
Messi has appeared in all four Inter Miami preseason matches, but came on in the 83rd minute Thursday against Saudi powerhouse Al Nassr to conservatively finish the second of two matches at the Riyadh Season Cup.
The match is set for a 3 a.m. ET start, and will broadcast via the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Messi experienced injury discomfort during Inter Miami’s 4-3 loss to Al Hilal on Monday, and during a training session Tuesday. He was not initially expected to play against Al Nassr, but entered as a substitute off the bench.
“We want Leo [Messi] to play as much as possible,” Martino said.
“We will evaluate the players. The hope is that Leo can play the most minutes. We will see in [Saturday’s] training, but it is likely he will play on Sunday.”
Messi and Inter Miami held a practice in front of a sold-out crowd of 40,000 fans at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, and expect the same turnout Sunday.
David Beckham, a co-owner of Inter Miami, took to social media to describe the scene.
“Amazing… a sold out stadium for our pre-season training session in Hong Kong,” Beckham posted on Instagram. “Thank you for all your incredible support and love, see you all tomorrow.”
Inter Miami has lost three preseason matches, and their other match finished in a draw.
Inter Miami has scored three goals (all in one match) and allowed 11 goals total.
"If there is a time when this has to happen and an alarm has to ring, it is better that it happens in preseason. We will try to improve and put the best team forward,” Martino said.
Inter Miami has two more preseason matches, but one will be played abroad.
Inter Miami will face Japanese champion Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Wednesday, then return home to South Florida. A week later on Feb. 15, the club will face Newell’s Old Boys – the Argentine team from Messi’s hometown.
Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS season begins with two matches in the opening weekend: Inter Miami hosts Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21, and visits the L.A. Galaxy on Feb. 25.