Lionel Messi has now delivered his honest opinion on Inter Miami’s mammoth 25,000-mile pre-season tour this winter.
The Herons this year embarked on what is easily the most ambitious pre-season tour any MLS side has ever set out to do, with Inter Miami traveling the entire globe with Messi and company.
Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and now Japan have all been on the itinerary for Inter Miami, though results on the pitch have been far from convincing, with PR nightmares also stealing the limelight from the tour.
And speaking to the press ahead of Inter Miami’s final international friendly against Vissel Kobe, Messi admitted that he is tired from the tour, with the forward eager to return home to Florida.
Messi said when asked about Inter Miami’s pre-season tour: “I’m a little tired from this whole tour, [I have] a desire to finish up the last game and to return home.
“We have been on this tour that has had many games congested together, a lot of travel, a lot of changes of time zones. We will try to prepare ourselves to the best ability to face this match.”
Inter Miami bit off way more than they can chew with pre-season tour
Inter Miami were always going to have insane plans for pre-season once Messi was signed, with Luis Suarez’s arrival only increasing the Herons’ international profile.
Yet the message this winter has been crystal clear, the Florida franchise have bitten off way more than can chew with this insane 25,000-mile pre-season tour of the globe.
Indeed, whilst there’s no problem in Inter Miami traveling the world to boost their profile, the sheer amount of air miles the Herons have racked up has been nothing short of monstrous.
And for next year, Inter Miami have to be more efficient and careful with the pre-season plans, especially with injuries already affecting this trip in a big way.