Lionel Messi will play in a friendly match between Inter Miami and Japanese club Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Wednesday.
And don’t expect another public relations nightmare like the one that occurred on Sunday, when Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain remained on the bench for the whole match against a team from the Hong Kong league, infuriating thousands of fans who demanded refunds.
Teammate Luis Suarez, another huge star at Miami, sat on the bench.
Messi appeared at a five-star Tokyo hotel on Tuesday for his second press conference since joining Miami on June 7, and his first since August 17. He sat alone on a stool on stage, wearing a pink warm-up jacket and displaying some humility.
He was undoubtedly under pressure from local Japanese sponsors, especially Vissel Kobe, where his former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta became a Japanese fan favorite before departing last year.
“The truth is that I feel very good compared to a few days ago,” Messi stated in Spanish. “And depending on how the training goes. And to be honest, I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to. But I feel lot better now, and I really want to be able to accomplish it.
Messi trained later Tuesday in suburban Tokyo and appeared to be in good shape, performing drills and moving fluidly at a Japan Football Association practice facility. He declined to talk to reporters thereafter.
Messi sought to explain to Hong Kong fans that he couldn’t play with a groin issue. Some suggested he could have merely trotted around for a few minutes, which would have satisfied supporters in a game with no meaning other than its promotional value.
“The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t (play) on the day of the Hong Kong match,” Messi remarked. He went on to say that “discomfort continued and it was very difficult for me to play.”
“Unfortunately, in football, things may happen in any game, and we may sustain an injury. It’s a pity because I always want to participate and be present, especially at big events where we travel so far and people are so enthusiastic to witness our matches.
Inter Miami’s global tour has been underwhelming as the team attempts to develop a brand around senior players Messi and Suarez. Inter Miami has only won once in five games spanning El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong, with a total score of 12-7.
The Asian tour concludes on Wednesday at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
Mark Conrad, a law, ethics, and sports business professor at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, reminded spectators that a ticket to a game does not ensure a player’s presence.
“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 said in an interview with 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 stated that he wants to return to Hong Kong and play in the future.
“I hope we can return and we can play another game and I can be present,” he went on to say. “I do this whenever I can. But the reality is, it is unfortunate that I was unable to participate.”