Lionel Messi will have more time to rest before the new MLS season kicks off in February 2024, because Inter Miami canceled their trip to China at the weekend.
“The tour organizer NSN has informed Inter Miami of the cancellation of the China tour due to unforeseen circumstances in China,” Inter Miami’s announcement on November 1 read. “Inter Miami’s ambition remains to expand its global reach by playing in front of passionate fans across the globe, and the club will continue to explore future opportunities with NSN to achieve this goal.” this goal”.
NSN expressed regret and attributed the cancellation of the tour to the death of former Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang late last month. Mr. Li Keqiang died of a heart attack in Shanghai on October 27, at the age of 68, more than 7 months after ending his term as Prime Minister of China.
Messi on the Inter Miami training ground on November 1. Photo: Inter Miami FC
According to the original plan, Inter Miami will have their first international tour to China and play two friendly matches, meeting Qingdao Hainiu on November 5 and then Chengdu Rongchen on November 8. Inter Miami wants to take advantage of the “Messi craze” in China to continue to develop its brand.
In June, Messi created a fever in China when he went to Beijing to play a friendly match with Argentina against Australia. Argentina even had to cancel training for safety reasons after “excessive” fans gathered around the hotel, making it impossible for the team to leave.
For Messi , these two friendly matches not only help the club promote its brand, but also help him maintain his physical strength and form before joining Argentina to play in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America. middle of this month.
But with Inter Miami not having a playoff ticket to compete for the MLS championship and the tour to China being canceled, Messi will be out of action until the new season starts in February 2024. In the next three months, the 36-year-old striker will only play two official matches, with Argentina hosting Uruguay at home on November 16 and then traveling to Brazil’s stadium on November 21.
Inter Miami announced the cancellation of their tour to China two days after Messi won the 2023 Golden Ball at the Chatelet theater in Paris, France. After setting a record for winning the eighth Golden Ball, Messi, his family and Inter Miami owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham boarded a special plane to return to the US. He was congratulated by his teammates on the training field on October 31 and will show off the Golden Ball to Inter Miami fans at the upcoming party.
Inter Miami players lined up to shoot confetti on the practice field on October 31, congratulating Messi on winning his eighth Golden Ball. Photo: Inter Miami FC
In the summer of 2023, Messi ended his campaign in Europe to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, contributing 11 goals and five assists in 13 matches, helping the club win the Leagues Cup and become runner-up in the National Cup. America. The last time the Argentine star played was when he played all 90 minutes of the 1-0 loss at Charlotte in the final round of MLS on October 21.