In the latest episode of Inter Miami's preseason tour, Lionel Messi found himself among the substitutes for the game against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. The Argentine superstar had missed the previous match against a Hong Kong League XI due to an adductor injury, which had drawn disappointment from the government of Hong Kong.
Expressing optimism about his recovery, Messi stated during a press conference on Tuesday that he was feeling 'very good compared to a few days ago.' However, he also admitted uncertainty regarding his fitness and mentioned that a final decision would be made based on how his training progressed.
For the game against Vissel Kobe, Inter Miami's coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino opted to place Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Luis Suárez in the starting lineup. This selection further enhanced the ties to FC Barcelona, as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba have been long-time fixtures in the Spanish club's lineup, while Luis Suárez recently made a move to play for Inter Miami after a successful stint with Barcelona.
Adding to the Barcelona connections, the match against Vissel Kobe marked a reunion with former Blaugrana legend Andrés Iniesta. Iniesta had spent five years playing for the Japanese team before his transfer to Emirates in the United Arab Emirates in August 2023.
Inter Miami's preseason journey has been a mix of results thus far. With a solitary victory over the Hong Kong team, they have faced defeat against Al Hilal and Al Nassr from the Saudi Pro League. In the latter match, Lionel Messi made a late substitute appearance, while Cristiano Ronaldo was absent due to injury.
As Inter Miami continues their preseason preparations, fans eagerly await the return of Lionel Messi to full fitness. They are optimistic that his presence on the field will provide a significant boost to the team's performance and enhance their chances of success in the upcoming season.
