Messi could feature in Tokyo friendly
Messi also gave an explanation to Hong Kong fans
Lionel Messi could feature in Wednesday’s friendly in Tokyo with Inter Miami set to lock horns with Japanese club Vissel Kobe.
The development comes after thousands of fans were left angry and demanded refunds since Messi, along with teammates Luis Suarez, sat on the bench on Sunday for the entire match against a selection of players from the Hong Kong league.
Messi, who hasn’t spoken to media often since moving in July to Inter Miami, spoke at a news conference in a five-star Tokyo hotel on Tuesday.
“The truth is that I feel very good compared to a few days ago,” Messi said, speaking in Spanish. “And depending on how that (training) goes. And 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 do it.”
Messi also gave an explanation to Hong Kong fans, stating it was impossible for him to feature in the match with a groin injury.
“The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t (play) on the day of the Hong Kong match,” Messi said, adding that the “discomfort continued and it was very difficult for me to play.”
“Unfortunately, in football, things can happen in any game, that we may have an injury,” he added. “It’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these games when we travel so far and people are so excited to see our matches.”
Inter Miami’s global tour has failed to impress as the club tries to build a brand, using veteran players like Messi and Suarez. Through five games from El Salvador, to Dallas, to Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, Inter Miami has only bagged victory one and have been outscored 12-7.
Meanwhile, Mark Conrad, who teaches law, ethics and sports business at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, reminded fans that a particular player playing isn’t guaranteed if they buy a ticket for the match.
“While it may be true that many fans purchased tickets with the hope of seeing Messi, the ticket is to watch the match, not a specific player — unless there is a condition that says otherwise,” Conrad told The Associated Press.
“While it is likely true that the pricing and the interest was in large part due to Messi’s participation, his failure to play does not generally constitute a breach of contract.”
Messi was also hopeful that he will return to Hong Kong for a game in the future.
“I hope we can return and we can play another game and I can be present,” he said. “As I do whenever I can. But the truth is that it is a shame that I was not able to participate.”
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