Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami star likely to play in Hong Kong friendly Sunday
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi is expected to be available for the club’s preseason match Sunday in Hong Kong despite injury discomfort he has experienced in Saudi Arabia, coach Tata Martino said Friday at a press conference.
Messi did not start in Inter Miami’s 6-0 blowout loss to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team on Thursday, but he did come on as a late substitute in the 83rd minute and played conservatively.
Inter Miami is scheduled to play Hong Kong Team at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday at 3 a.m. ET. The match will be available on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
“We will assess each of the players in training because we have been playing a lot of preseason games. The hope is that Leo (Messi) can play as many minutes as possible,” Martino said on Friday.
What is Lionel Messi’s injury?
Messi felt discomfort following Monday's match against Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal, which Inter Miami lost 4-3, and in Wednesday's training session in Saudi Arabia, causing him to get an MRI as a precaution, a club spokesman told USA TODAY Sports before the match Thursday.
Messi was initially ruled out of Inter Miami’s lineup, until he was added as a potential substitute and watched Thursday’s match from the bench.
How did Lionel Messi look when he played despite injury?
When Messi entered the match, he had one shot attempt inside the penalty area that was deflected by an Al Nassr defender in the 86th minute. He also had two kicks to advance the ball further up the pitch.
Other than that, Messi casually dribbled the ball as defenders approached him, but made quick passes to teammates. Outside of a light jog in some instances, Messi didn’t run much and walked toward the direction of the ball.
How long will Inter Miami be in Hong Kong?
Inter Miami arrived in Hong Kong on Friday morning after leaving Saudi Arabia. The club is scheduled to practice and participate in a community event on Saturday in Hong Kong before Sunday’s match.
After the match, Inter Miami will travel to Tokyo for a match on Thursday before returning home from their worldwide preseason tour.
The positive for Messi and Inter Miami, they are not canceling their preseason match in Hong Kong after Ronaldo and Al Nassr canceled two of their matches in the country last week due to Ronaldo’s calf injury.
“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.”
Inter Miami has struggled during preseason tour
Inter Miami has scored just three goals – all in their 4-3 loss to Al Hilal Monday – and surrendered 11 goals through four preseason matches.
Inter Miami has three losses and one draw with three more preseason matches (Hong Kong on Sunday, Tokyo on Thursday, and Newell’s Old Boys on Feb. 15) remaining before the MLS season.
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 L.A. Galaxy on Feb. 25.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi injury update: Will Inter Miami star play in Hong Kong?
