Inter Miami once again began their match against J-League side Vissel Kobe without superstar Lionel Messi, who was struggling with injury. The MLS team was on a pre-season tour in East Asia, with Messi named on the bench for the game at Japan National Stadium.
Messi’s absence from the starting lineup sparked frustration among Inter Miami fans, who expressed disappointment over his limited game time during the tour. After missing the previous match against a Hong Kong XI, both Messi and owner David Beckham faced criticism and booing from supporters, with some even requesting refunds, feeling “scammed” after purchasing tickets.
Addressing his injury and absence, Messi expressed regret at missing the Hong Kong XI fixture and expressed his desire to play against Vissel Kobe. He stated, “The truth is that I felt very good compared to a few days ago… But I felt much better and I really wanted to be able to do it.”
Following the match against Vissel Kobe, Inter Miami returned to the United States to prepare for their final friendly before the new MLS campaign began. Their upcoming game saw them face Messi’s boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, in a fixture that the World Cup winner was eager to participate in.
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