Messi speaks to reporters in Tokyo. Naoki Nishimura/AFLO/Shutterstock
Lionel Messi, the famous footballer from Argentina, voiced his disappointment on Tuesday for his inability to participate in a friendly game in Hong Kong.
Messi, a key player for the Inter Miami team in the Major League Soccer, was absent from the field during Sunday’s match against a team from Hong Kong, which led to a wave of discontent among supporters.
He later clarified that an injury prevented him from playing, despite his eagerness to do so.
Messi’s Hip Adductor Injury: A Stroke of Unluckiness
In recent weeks, Messi’s fans were eagerly awaiting his appearance in a match against Hong Kong.
However, disappointment struck when news broke that Messi would be unable to participate due to a hip adductor injury.
This injury, which occurred during a match in Saudi Arabia, caused discomfort and hindered Messi’s ability to play.
Despite an MRI revealing no significant injury, Messi continued to experience discomfort, forcing him to sit out the match in Hong Kong.
What Messi Said about Not Playing in Hong Kong
“The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t be present on the day of the match in Hong Kong,” Messi said.
“In the first game of the tour in Saudi Arabia I felt discomfort in my adductor and that’s why I left the match. In the second game I played the minutes I played to test myself, to see what sensations I had and how I felt because I had an MRI done and the results showed that I had swelling in the adductor, but there was no injury. That’s why I tried.
“Then we went to Hong Kong and we were in the open training and I was present because of the number of people there and because there was also a clinic with kids and I wanted to be present and participate. But the truth is that the discomfort was still there and it made it very difficult for me to play.
He Further Added
“Unfortunately, it is something that happens in football, in any game it can happen that we get injured. It happened to me and I couldn’t be in the game in Hong Kong and it’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these types of games where we traveled so far and people were so excited to watch us play. I hope we can return and we can play another game in Hong Kong and I can be present as I do whenever I can, but the truth is that it is a shame that I was not able to participate.
“(Tuesday) in the afternoon we are going to train, the first training session has already happened, and I am going to test how I’m feeling again. The truth is that I feel better in comparison to the past days, and depending on how it goes I will see if I play. If I’m honest, I still don’t know if I will be able to or not, but I feel much better, and I really want to be able to play.”
Messi’s Disappointment and Fan Backlash in Hong Kong
The absence of Messi in the match against Hong Kong did not go unnoticed, as fans expressed their disappointment and frustration.
Prior to the match, Messi had participated in a practice session with local children, further heightening the anticipation among fans.
However, as the match progressed and Messi remained on the bench, the restlessness among the crowd grew.
This led to boos directed towards Messi, David Beckham, and Inter Miami.
The Hong Kong Government, along with event promoter Tatler, expressed their “extreme disappointment” over Messi’s absence.
They had hoped for Messi’s participation in the match and urged Inter Miami to make him available.
Unfortunately, the discomfort from his injury made it challenging for Messi to play, leaving fans and officials disheartened.
The Timeline of Messi’s Hip Adductor Injury
To better understand Messi’s hip adductor injury, let’s look into the timeline of events leading up to his absence from the match in Hong Kong:
- Jan. 29: Messi scored a penalty kick and played until the 88th minute in a match against Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. This is when he first experienced the injury.
- Jan. 31: Messi participated in a practice session with Inter Miami, one day before their match against Al Nassr. It was during this time that an MRI evaluation was conducted.
- Feb. 1: Messi did not start the match against Al Nassr but came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute. He played conservatively for a few minutes, including extra time.
- Feb. 3: Messi engaged in light workouts and ran around Hong Kong Stadium, participating in some activities with his Inter Miami teammates.
- Feb. 4: Messi was listed as a substitute on Inter Miami’s roster for the match in Hong Kong but was ultimately not included in the lineup or played.
Inter Miami’s Upcoming Schedule and Messi’s Hometown Team
Following the match in Tokyo, Inter Miami will return home to the United States.
One week later, they will host their final preseason match against Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s hometown team.
This match holds special significance for Messi, as he will face the club where his football journey began.
The match will take place at DRV PNK Stadium on Feb. 15, providing fans with an opportunity to witness Messi’s return to his roots.
As the 2024 MLS regular season approaches, Inter Miami will face Real Salt Lake in their first home game on Feb. 21.
They will then travel to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Feb. 25, marking the beginning of their competitive season.
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