TOKYO: Lionel Messi mentioned on Tuesday that his leg injury was showing signs of improvement, though he couldn’t assure his availability for Inter Miami’s pre-season friendly in Japan later this week, despite his desire to participate.
Just days ago, discontented fans in Hong Kong expressed their frustration by booing Messi and co-owner David Beckham, demanding refunds when Messi didn’t take the field for a sold-out friendly match. Messi, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, expressed uncertainty about his ability to play but expressed optimism about his condition, stating he feels much better compared to before.
Anticipation for the upcoming friendly in Tokyo’s National Stadium has been mounting, with Inter Miami’s distinctive pink colors decorating parts of Shibuya district. Tickets for the event, part of the US Major League Soccer (MLS) club’s extensive pre-season tour, range from 10,000 yen ($68) to 200,000 yen ($1,346), with premium “special experience” packages commanding even higher prices.
In contrast, nearly 40,000 fans in Hong Kong, who paid similar hefty sums for tickets, expressed their disappointment by booing and gesturing disapproval when Messi remained on the bench during their team’s 4-1 victory against a local select XI. The Hong Kong government has demanded clarification from the match organizers regarding the incident.
“It was really bad luck that I couldn’t play in Hong Kong,” Messi said.
