Fixing the Mess
Lionel Messi hopes to play in Inter Miami’s friendly against Japanese side Vissel Kobe tomorrow, having sat out last Sunday’s clash with a Hong Kong XI through injury.
The Argentine said: “The truth is that the discomfort was still there and it was very difficult for me to play. I can understand that people were looking forward to it and I hope there will be another opportunity for me to play in Hong Kong.
“For tomorrow, I don’t know. We’ll need to see how it goes in training today. We still don’t know if I would be able to or not but I feel much better than I did a few days ago and really want to be able to play.”
Becks booed
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham was jeered by fans after his side’s 4-1 victory over Hong Kong XI due to the absence of superstar captain Lionel Messi.
The Argentine missed the friendly encounter through injury, with the Hong Kong government issuing a statement demanding an explanation for the 36-year-old’s no-show.
They wrote: “Messi was not able to play in the friendly game today and the government and fans are equally disappointed at the arrangements by the event organiser [Tatler]. The event organiser owes fans an explanation.”
Miami’s humbling night
Former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte scored from inside his own half as Al-Nassr thrashed Inter Miami 6-0.
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from the much-anticipated friendly against Lionel Messi’s MLS side but the 38-year-old superstar’s team-mates put on a dominant display without him.
Brazilian Talisca bagged a hat-trick for the Saudi Pro League club, with Otavio and Mohammed Maran also on target in Riyadh, as Messi was limited to just seven minutes from the bench.
Up for the cup
Holders Inter Miami will face Mexican sides Tigres and Puebla in this summer’s Leagues Cup.
The Florida outfit discovered their group stage opponents on Wednesday for the tournament which sees Major League Soccer and Liga MX teams scrap for glory, kicking off on July 26.
Former USA international DaMarcus Beasley said: “It’s a tough group. Tigres, the history that that club has from winning, especially in the last 10 years [and] Inter Miami, you know the names, I don’t have to say them all.
“[Messi] he’s still the best in the world, so everybody wants to beat the best and why not in Leagues Cup 2024?
Goals galore
Inter Miami’s pre-season goalscoring woes were put to bed against Al-Hilal but they suffered a 4-3 friendly defeat.
Aleksandar Mitrovic and Abdullah Al-Hamdan put the Saudi Pro League side ahead before Luis Suarez pulled one back.
Michael restored the two-goal lead but a Lionel Messi penalty and David Ruiz strike levelled the scores, only for Malcolm to net a late winner.