Inter Miami have confirmed that Lionel Messi will start their pre-season fixture against Vissel Kobe on the bench amid fitness concerns.
The Argentine attacker was rested for the Herons’ recent friendly in Hong Kong, where Messi’s no-show attracted criticism from fans aimed at David Beckham and complaints from the country’s government.
Having teased yesterday that he might feature today, there has been a growing expectation around if Messi’s fitness will allow the forward to start for Inter Miami against Vissel Kobe.
Yet the decision has now been officially made that Messi will start today’s fixture in Tokyo from the bench, though Luis Suarez has returned to the XI having also fully missed Inter Miami’s fixture in Hong Kong.
Indeed, with Messi on the bench, there is a chance that the 36-year-old could feature later on in the match if the forward feels comfortable playing a few minutes against Vissel Kobe.
Yet with the forward clearly not 100% healthy, Inter Miami again could take the safe bet and fully rest Messi, even if it means again upsetting international fans.
Inter Miami need to be careful with Lionel Messi vs Vissel Kobe
With just a few weeks remaining until the start of the MLS season, the last thing Inter Miami want right now is to wear Messi down even more heading into the new campaign.
Yet the Herons could risk just that if Messi plays today, with the Argentine clearly not 100% ready yet to take to the pitch having missed Inter Miami’s last pre-season friendly against Hong Kong XI.
Although Messi himself has said he wishes to play, risking further injury in an unofficial fixture should be the last thing Inter Miami do when heading into today’s game in Tokyo.
As a result, Tata Martino and his team have to be careful when deciding what to do with Messi, who can’t be risked further heading into the MLS season later this month.