Lionel Messi Injury Update: Pre-Season In Danger as Inter Miami Fly to Hong Kong Next

Inter Miami has been hit with a massive setback right before the start of their MLS campaign. Lionel Messi had to be taken off the team’s playing eleven before the ongoing clash against Al Nassr in the Riyadh Season Cup after the player complained about a muscular injury. This comes across as alarming news as the side will now tour Hong Kong and Japan this week as a part of their pre-season plans. If the Argentine fails to find the needed fitness, Tata Martino and Co. could even pull out of their upcoming matches.

The Herons will take on a team made up of Hong Kong All-Stars on the 4th of February before traveling to Japan to take on former J-League Champions Vissel Kobe. These fixtures will mark an end to the team’s pre-season campaign and they will return to the USA on February 8th. The David Beckham-owned franchise is scheduled to play the opening MLS fixture on February 22 as they take on Real Salt Lake at home.

Messi feeling ‘discomfort’, as Inter Miami’s pre-season campaign in doubt

Inter Miami will have to take things very carefully in the coming weeks. The side is likely to miss out on the services of Lionel Messi for their coming games with La Pulga out with a muscular injury. According to a report, the Argentine has an issue with his biceps. “Messi has discomfort in the biceps femoris. If he plays, it is because of the contractual commitment. It’s being decided.”

The Argentine is the focal point in the team’s attack and his absence could turn out to be a massive blow for the side. Fans will hope that he can recover as soon as possible in the coming weeks. Inter Miami’s struggles in Lionel Messi’s absence were on display during the team’s clash with Al Nassr. They failed to make an impact in the attacking third and were forced to play a majority of the game in their half, trying to block the Al-Nassr onslaught.

Al Nassr trash Inter Miami in Lionel Messi’s absence

Inter Miami seemed like a fish out of water during their outing against Al Nassr. The team looked lethargic without Lionel Messi, as they managed to have just three shots on target throughout the game. Al Nassr, on the other hand, was all over their opponents as they had 14 shots on target while converting six of them in the process.

READ MORE: VIDEO: Sergio Busquets Punches Al Nassr Star as Big Fight Breaks Out in Inter Miami Game

Anderson Talisca was the star of the show in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence as the Brazilian star ran riot against Inter Miami. The winger finished as the top scorer of the game with a hat trick to his name, while Otavio, Maran, and Laporte finished with a goal each. This has to be a big blow for Tata Martino’s men, who will need to get back to the drawing board in hopes of recovering from the shambolic defeat.

WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen joins Lionel Messi in creating special historic feat