Lionel Messi, the renowned Argentine forward and eight-time Ballon D'Or winner, was a notable absentee from Inter Miami's recent match against a Hong Kong XI as part of their preseason Asian tour. The match, which took place at Hong Kong Stadium, saw Inter Miami emerge victorious with a 4-1 scoreline.
While Messi's absence was undoubtedly disappointing for fans, who eagerly purchased all 40,000 tickets within an hour of them going on sale in December, it allowed Inter Miami to bounce back from their crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr just a few days prior in Riyadh. Messi had featured in the latter stages of that match, but a tight hamstring kept him sidelined for the Hong Kong encounter, along with his former Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez, who also missed the match.
Despite Messi's absence, fans who attended the match were treated to an open training session a day earlier, where they had the opportunity to witness the superstar in action alongside Miami co-owner David Beckham. It was undoubtedly an exciting opportunity for local fans to see a World Cup winner up close and personal.
The match against the Hong Kong XI saw Inter Miami take the lead just before halftime, courtesy of a curling shot from Robert Taylor. However, the hosts quickly leveled the score through Henri Anier, who capitalised on a lapse in Miami's defense. In the second half, Lawson Sunderland restored Miami's lead early on, followed by Leonardo Campana extending their advantage to 3-1 in the 56th minute after an assist from Sunderland. Ryan Sailor headed home a fourth goal for Miami in the dying minutes of the match, sealing a convincing victory for the MLS team.
Inter Miami will conclude their fruitful Asian tour in Japan, where they are set to face Vissel Kobe on Wednesday. This tour has provided the team with valuable preseason preparation and the opportunity to showcase their abilities on a global stage.
The absence of Lionel Messi may have disappointed fans in Hong Kong, but the match against the Hong Kong XI demonstrated the depth and resilience of the Inter Miami squad. As they continue their preparations for the upcoming MLS season, the team will surely draw upon these experiences in their quest for success.
Overall, Inter Miami's Asian tour has served as an important platform for the team to gain exposure, refine their strategies, and build camaraderie as they gear up for the challenges ahead. The absence of key players like Messi and Suarez may have been felt, but it has also allowed other members of the squad to shine and showcase their talents. With the conclusion of their tour just around the corner, Inter Miami can look forward to taking these valuable experiences back home as they strive for greatness in the upcoming season.
