Injured Lionel Messi Leaves Japanese Fans Hanging Ahead of Vissel Kobe vs Inter Miami

After months of silence, Lionel Messi finally spoke to the media in Japan, as Inter Miami takes on Vissel Kobe in a friendly on Thursday. And he has no respite for Japanese fans who are craving to watch the World Cup winner’s action. Messi’s presence for the friendly is in dubiety after he picked up an injury while touring Saudi Arabia. His playing time was shortened to seven minutes in the match against Al Nassr after he underwent an MRI before the game. Then, he missed Miami’s win against Hong Kong XI on Sunday.

Lionel Messi said that he “would like to play in Japan before returning.” This indeed gave a breathing space to the Japanese fans. However, the happiness was short-lived. “I don’t know if I will play tomorrow or not,” the Inter Miami skipper added, as compiled by Sakanowa. While speaking to the press, he also addressed fans’ backlash over missing the Hong Kong XI game. He said ‘he wanted to play, but missing matches are a part of the game.’ He is reportedly suffering from an adductor inflammation which he probably picked after playing against Al Hilal.

Lionel Messi played most of the duration in Inter Miami’s first three pre-season friendlies. After scoring in Inter Miami’s loss against Al Hilal, the player expressed feeling physical discomfort. He took an MRI subsequently and was not expected to play against Al Nassr. But his seven-minute appearance seems to have worsened his physical condition. While the captain’s injury woes persist, the physical condition of other key players, including Luis Suarez, does not give Inter Miami any hope!

Amid Lionel Messi’s adductor inflammation, 4 other injuries rock Inter Miami!

Luis Suarez shared the bench with Lionel Messi during the Inter Miami-Hong Kong XI match. The Uruguayan is reportedly suffering from an inflammation in his knee. Suarez has a chronic knee problem. Besides Messi and Suarez, Benjamin Cremaschi has also missed Inter Miami’s action because of a sports hernia surgery. This came before the Herons’ pre-season outing against FC Dallas. The surgery has forced Cremaschi out for at least 2 months.

READ MORE: OFFICIAL: Lionel Messi Leads Inter Miami’s Roster for 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup

Center-back Serhiy Kryvtsov picked up an injury during the game against Hong Kong XI. He was subbed off at the half-hour mark and was replaced by Ryan Sailor. Argentine attacker Facundo Farias has contracted the worst injury of all in the Inter Miami camp. He is suffering from a left ACL injury after a brutal tackle in the friendly against El Salvador. The player will undergo surgery and will probably miss most matches in 2024.

What are your thoughts on Inter Miami’s injury woes? Will Messi line up for the Herons tomorrow? Tell us in the comments.

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