Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were booed by fans in Hong Kong as the Argentine international sat out of their pre-season game due to injury.
Messi was present but sat on the bench throughout the 90 minutes as his side beat Hong Kong All-Stars at Hong Kong Stadium. This came just one day after he trained in front of a sell-out crowd.
Inter coach Tata Martino addressed the issue in a post-match press conference: "We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness."
The Argentina international then played just 30 minutes against Vissel Kobe in Japan.
The Sporting News takes a look at Messi's injury and if he'll play against Newell's Old Boys.
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Lionel Messi injury updates
Messi sustained a hip adductor injury against Al Hilal, during the first of a two-game series in Saudi Arabia.
Despite an MRI scan revealing no significant injury, Messi said there was ongoing discomfort. He described the injury as an unfortunate occurrence and shared optimism about the possibility of returning to play in Hong Kong if given the chance.
Lionel Messi is hopeful he can play a part in Inter Miami's final pre-season game in Japan 🇯🇵
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 6, 2024
Messi was booed by around 40,000 fans after he missed Miami's game with a Hong Kong XI through injury ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/M5ittL9hfx
Despite being declared fit enough to play against Vissel Kobe, he only managed 30 minutes in Japan. Fans back home in Miami will be hoping he can play his first full 90 against Newell's Old Boys on Thursday night.
Will Messi play vs Newell's Old Boys?
Messi will start for Inter Miami against his former club on Thursday according to his manager Martino.
“For us, it’s important for him to get in as many minutes as possible ahead of the beginning of the league.
"So I’m able to confirm that he’ll start, because it’s what we’re trying to do in order to get him in the best shape possible before the 21st.”
Martino also addressed Messi's injury and shared an update on his progress. "He played a bit more in Japan and tomorrow he’ll likely get more minutes in and, if everything continues the same way, he’ll be in good shape for the beginning of the season.”
Inter Miami next match in 2024 season
- Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2024
- Time (ET): 8 p.m.
- Competition: Major League Soccer (Matchweek 1)
- Match: Inter Miami vs. Real Salt Lake (DRV PNK Stadium — Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- TV (USA): —
- Streaming (Global): MLS Season Pass (Apple TV+)
Inter Miami's first competitive fixture of the 2024 season is the club's MLS opener, as they host Real Salt Lake on Wednesday, February 21.
They will have three league fixtures before they open their 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup schedule, set for their Round of 16 first leg against either Nashville SC (USA) or Moca (Dominican Republic). It will be a two-legged matchup, with the first leg on the road.
Inter Miami full MLS fixture list for 2024 season
Inter Miami will kick off the 2024 MLS season against Real Salt Lake on February 21, 2024. Their regular-season campaign will conclude on Decision Day on October 19, when they face New England Revolution.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
| Weds, Feb. 21 | Real Salt Lake | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sun, Feb. 25 | LA Galaxy | Dignity Health Sports Park (Carson, CA) |
| Sat, March 2 | Orlando City | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sun, March 10 | Montreal | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, March 16 | D.C. United | Audi Field (Washington, DC) |
| Sat, March 23 | NY Red Bulls | Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ) |
| Sat, March 30 | NYCFC | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, April 6 | Colorado Rapids | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, April 13 | Sporting KC | Children's Mercy Park (Kansas City, KS) |
| Sat, April 20 | Nashville SC | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, April 27 | New England Revolution | Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA) |
| Sat, May 4 | NY Red Bulls | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, May 11 | Montreal | Stade Saputo (Montreal, Canada) |
| Wed, May 15 | Orlando City | Exploria Stadium (Orlando, FL) |
| Sat, May 18 | D.C. United | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, May 25 | Vancouver Whitecaps | BC Place (Vancouver, Canada) |
| Wed, May 29 | Atlanta United | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, June 1 | St. Louis City | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, June 15 | Philadelphia Union | Subaru Park (Chester, PA) |
| Wed, June 19 | Columbus Crew | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, June 29 | Nashville SC | GEODIS Park (Nashville, TN) |
| Wed, July 3 | Charlotte FC | Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC) |
| Sat, July 6 | FC Cincinnati | TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH) |
| Wed, July 17 | Toronto | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, July 20 | Chicago Fire | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, Aug. 24 | FC Cincinnati | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Sat, Aug. 31 | Chicago Fire | Soldier Field (Chicago, IL) |
| Sat, Sep. 14 | Philadelphia Union | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Wed, Sep. 18 | Atlanta United | Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA) |
| Sat, Sep. 21 | NYCFC | Yankee Stadium (New York City, NY) |
| Sat, Sep. 28 | Charlotte FC | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |
| Wed, Oct. 2 | Columbus Crew | Lower.com Field (Columbus, OH) |
| Sat, Oct. 5 | Toronto | BMO Field (Toronto, Canada) |
| Sat, Oct. 19 | New England Revolution | DRV PNK Stadium (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) |