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Inter Miami preseason tour: 5 questions Messi, Suárez & more must answer

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Inter Miami CF ’s preseason tour – a Jules Verne-esque trip Around the World in (less than) Eighty Days that hits El Salvador, Texas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Japan and, eventually, Miami – is well underway.

As Tata Martino's squad globe-trots, some key questions need to be answered before their Feb. 21 regular-season opener vs. Real Salt Lake (8 pm ET | MLS Season Pass ).

Expectations are sky-high entering 2024, arguably more than any team in MLS history.

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I mean, we know it’s going to involve a lot of quick combination play between Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez , and occasionally the other two members of The Big Four.

We all got a taste of that last week in Miami’s matchup with El Salvador’s national team :

Alba to Suarez to Busquets to Messi to Busquets to Messi. They're just getting warmed up. 👀 📺 https://t.co/weT5JfeSqf pic.twitter.com/p6wv1zSJ5b — Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 20, 2024

But what about the other puzzle pieces?

As preseason continues, Martino will pay special attention to how the rest of his attack functions around those superstars. Free-agent signing Julian Gressel will undoubtedly be a key part; if the US international learns to read the movement of Suárez and Messi when they're in the box, Inter Miami will be way harder to stop. Last year, Miami became too one-dimensional in the final third, funneling anything and everything through Messi. This year, he’ll have help in the attack.

Now, there will be questions about Miami’s best shape: Martino preferred a 4-3-3 last year, with a bit of 3-5-2 thrown in along the way. That tendency may flip this year, with Miami having spent more time training the 3-5-2 in preseason.

Regardless of what formation prevails, Inter Miami’s ability to create chances in both shapes while applying solid rest defense principles will be key as they tackle various competitions in 2024.

In a brutal turn of events, 21-year-old Argentine attacker Facundo Farias went down with a long-term knee injury during Miami’s first preseason game.

There’s no way to spin this into a positive: it sucks. You can’t help but feel for Farías, whose face held real concern from the moment he went down at the Estadio Cuscatlán. Injuries are so often the worst part of sports, and that’s very much the case with Farias, who is now dealing with the second ACL injury of his young career.

While they facilitate the Argentine's recovery process, Miami have to determine what to do without Farías. Do they try to squeeze enough minutes out of depth pieces in other parts of the squad to cover for his absence? Or do they put Farías on the Season-Ending Injury List to free up his U22 Initiative spot and sign a replacement, provided the new player keeps them within the salary cap?

Given Miami’s willingness to spend, I’d be shocked if they don’t land on that second option. Though it could create a pile-up of U22s for 2025, signing another attacker who can play 2,500 minutes across all competitions will be key as Martino looks to rotate his squad. Everyone in Miami will want that player signed and integrated as soon as possible.

In a fun, potentially Wilfried Nancy-inspired twist, Miami ran out DeAndre Yedlin as a right-sided center back in a 3-5-2 to kick off their preseason slate against El Salvador. Yedlin, a veteran right back, didn’t shine in that role… but he didn’t crumble, either. Does the 30-year-old US international have a future there? Yedlin’s presence as a right-sided center back clears space for Gressel to hold the width as a wingback on that same side.

As preseason continues, Miami will get a better read on whether Yedlin is a legitimate option at center back. If he is, an already tactically flexible team gets even more flexible. But it’s also worth noting how Yedlin shifted back to his more typical outside back role for Miami’s matchup with FC Dallas .

Miami’s backline has also been bolstered by the addition of Nicolás Freire , a 29-year-old center back from Liga MX side Pumas UNAM. Freire, 19-year-old Tomás Avilés and veteran Sergii Kryvtsov , along with Noah Allen , Yedlin and a couple of deeper depth options, make up a strong center back group. How those players mesh and learn to complement each other will be one of the defining themes of Miami’s preseason.

#InterMiamiCF is going global. 🌏 Watch all the action on https://t.co/b2r687eiSx , MLS app and #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV . pic.twitter.com/FuFPLdDoUd — Major League Soccer (@MLS) January 18, 2024

Sergio Busquets runs the show. He ran it for FC Barcelona. He ran it for Spain. Now he’s running it in Miami.

To maximize Busquets’ touches and impact in 2024, Miami’s other central midfielders have to be active in every phase of the game. They have to engage the ball quickly after Miami lose it. They have to press to create turnovers that end up at Busquets’ feet. They have to move well off the ball to create passing lanes, or even tiny slivers of green grass, for Busquets to find.

Gregore , formerly Miami’s midfield stalwart who recovered from a foot injury late in 2023, will be responsible for doing all of those things. He’s likely to be the veteran No. 8 while one of Benjamin Cremaschi and Diego Gómez compete for the other No. 8 spot, with Jean Mota fighting for minutes, too. The catch? Gregore has hardly played as a dual No. 8 in front of a single pivot in his MLS career. Instead, he’s mostly played as half of a double pivot behind a No. 10.

In preseason, we’re going to get closer to finding out how Gregore fits in Miami’s midfield group. We’ll see how aggressive he is next to Busquets, and how those two work together to help control games. If they can find the right balance, it’s easy to imagine Miami causing big problems for opposing teams, even when those teams sell out to stop Busquets.

From the minute Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba set foot on the field for Inter Miami last season, the team’s defensive approach became clear. Messi and his No. 9 would form a sort of front two, while the other eight outfield players built two banks of protection behind them. At times, Miami would press. But their typical approach when playing against the ball involved a lot of defending in a mid-block 4-4-2 or 5-3-2.

With Suárez’s arrival reinforcing the need for a compact approach behind the front line, we can expect those same principles this year.

But with Miami tape now floating around the soccer world, how will they react to teams drawing up savvy game plans to break through their block?

Nailing their team-wide defensive rotations will be essential during a long season filled with opponents who have the Herons' name circled on their respective schedules. For individuals, especially Miami’s right-sided players who are tasked with covering some of Messi’s ground, preseason is the time to show complete defensive dedication.

If there’s going to be a crack in Inter Miami’s 2024 season, it’s likely to be in their defensive system or execution. Preseason, then, is a great time to start working out the kinks.

A puro fútbol ⚽🔁 pic.twitter.com/94HH3lQkcM — Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) January 18, 2024

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Boos, thrashings and injuries: how Inter Miami’s world tour turned into a circus

MLS’s glamor franchise embarked on a preseason tour around the globe but it has dissolved into a series of defeats, disappointments and disgruntled fans

I nter Miami were not far into their 23,000-mile, three-week preseason globetrotting tour when they started to hit bumps in the road. The star-studded roadshow featuring headliner Lionel Messi and his newest support act, Luis Suárez, was supposed to take the world by storm, from El Salvador to Saudi Arabia to Hong Kong, but the exercise has backfired. Several defeats and no-shows from the stars left spectators disgruntled, reputations diminished, and the team, as well as fans back home, unsure of how much they will get from their ageing legends once the MLS season starts.

As the tour reaches its last leg in Japan against Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, before returning to Miami for a game against Newells Old Boys, it will have witnessed boos for David Beckham , a Cristiano Ronaldo dropout , a 6-0 defeat and an almost surreal statement from the Hong Kong government expressing its “deep disappointment” at Messi’s absence.

As many predicted when the dates were released, tens of thousands of air miles on top of games and preseason training began to take a toll on the players. Messi picked up an injury in the first of the games in Saudi Arabia against Al Hilal, and his involvement dwindled from there.

During the most recent port of call in Hong Kong, where Inter Miami faced a vaguely named “Hong Kong Team”, there were boos as franchise owner Beckham addressed the crowd after the game. Fans, and, apparently, the government, had been expecting to see Messi. There was initial disappointment when he was listed only as a substitute but still hope he would make an appearance. He didn’t.

#NOW : David Beckham gets booed at the Hong Kong Stadium. pic.twitter.com/xbkt1BfbOf — Jay Ganglani (@GanglaniJay) February 4, 2024

Beckham was one of numerous targets for boos as fans vented their disappointment at the personalities they had arrived to adore, with some supporters asking for refunds. The South China Morning Post described it as “the greatest letdown of all time.” It was later revealed that Miami’s staff had decided on the afternoon of the game not to field Messi at all due to an adductor muscle injury.

“The Government today (4 February) expressed deep disappointment over Messi not playing at Tatler XFEST Hong Kong, Hong Kong Team v Inter Miami CF, and the organiser failing to provide a detailed explanation promptly,” read an official Hong Kong government statement. “The event has been awarded ‘M’ Mark status, as well as a matching grant of 15 million [$1.9m] and a grant for the venue of 1 million [$128,000] by The Major Sports Events Committee.”

The “M” Mark status is awarded to major sports events held in Hong Kong. It is safe to say the only reason to grant such status to a game between the team that finished 27th out of 29 teams in MLS last season and a Hong Kong representative side, was Messi.

“The Government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed that Messi could neither play in the friendly match nor explain to the fans in person upon request,” the statement added. “The way that the organiser and Inter Miami CF handled the situation could not meet the expectations of the fans who showed strong support to Messi, especially those visitors who came all the way here for the match.”

One of the organisers, Tatler XFEST, could have some of its government funding for the event pulled and released a statement expressing “extreme disappointment regarding Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez’s non-participation.”

The tour will probably be a commercial success given the tickets sold and the extra attention Inter Miami has gained. But in terms of growing a positive reputation and promoting Major League Soccer and the club in a positive manner, it has done more harm than good.

Miami’s tour was also designed to be an MLS Season Pass showcase, the league’s streaming package, with Messi at the helm – a promotional whirlwind for the league and its subscription broadcast service on Apple TV+. Inter Miami were the only MLS team to have this stage of their preseason broadcast in such a manner. Initially, this fuelled chagrin from supporters of the league’s other teams, who were already getting fed up with the continued focus on Inter Miami and some of whom wanted to assess their own side’s preseason progress. As Miami’s tour approaches its end, annoyance from fans of other MLS teams at Inter Miami’s favorable treatment has subsided, replaced by schadenfreude.

The tour began in January with games in El Salvador and Dallas which were free to watch on the MLS website. The MLS Season Pass stage of the exhibition landed in Saudi Arabia, building up to a game against Al Nassr tabbed as “the Last Dance” between Messi and Ronaldo. In the end, Ronaldo was unavailable due to injury and Messi appeared for seven minutes plus added time towards the end of the game. This tour highlight was not exactly as billed. Spanish sports newspaper Marca called it a Last Dance Disaster.

In their first game against Saudi opponents, Miami lost 4-3 to Al Hilal. After Messi chose MLS over big money from the Saudi Professional League last year, these games, preseason practice or not, were looked upon as a chance for the North American league to confirm it could compete with the SPL on the pitch as well as off it. The 6-0 loss to the Ronaldo-less Al Nassr was not what they had in mind.

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In normal circumstances, preseason games don’t mean anything beyond building match fitness, trying out new tactics and bringing the team together into a matchday routine. In normal circumstances, results don’t matter much. These were not normal circumstances, though. These games were marketed as meaningful. They certainly mattered to the fans forking out huge sums for tickets and travel to see Messi and Co as advertised. The starting price for tickets to the Last Dance was $100, with premium tickets rising to $11,214.

These games didn’t have to be thus. No Inter Miami game does. But for Messi’s time in the league, it appears he will be as much of a marketing tool as he will be an all-time great footballer fans may get the chance to enjoy should they manage to get a ticket for a game.

There is no guarantee any player will start any soccer match. That’s the nature of a physical, competitive sport. It is down to Miami head coach Tata Martino to select a team and manage his roster to get the most out of each player. In a campaign that potentially lasts from February until December, and involves three cup competitions on top of regular season games followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs, players, including Messi, will need to be rested and rotated.

This preseason pantomime may also serve as a caution to spectators looking to attend Inter Miami’s competitive games in the 2024 season. Fans in the United States have already experienced something similar to those in Hong Kong as Messi missed highly anticipated MLS games in Orlando, Atlanta, and Chicago at the end of the 2023 season, as well as the US Open Cup final .

Though Inter Miami are being marketed as the Messi roadshow, they are a working soccer team, with a head coach who will have to make decisions on squad rotation and player welfare. Regardless of status or star power, no player’s fitness can be guaranteed from one game to the next.

You can’t blame Martino for resting Messi when needed. You can’t blame Messi for being human and picking up knocks, especially at his age. You can’t blame the fans for expecting to see Messi when the promotional material from the organisers and the league feature Messi front and center. They are promoted less as Inter Miami and more as Lionel Messi FC, which is in some ways understandable given Messi’s status, but the balance has now tipped too far towards the individual.

Trounced in Saudi Arabia and booed in Hong Kong. Logistically unfair to the players, even though many will no doubt tell stories of it for years to come. Financially unfair to fans who felt they didn’t get what they paid for. This promotional tour backfired, reputationally if not commercially, and the game in Japan will not be shown on MLS Season Pass as initially planned. To say Miami’s preseason tour was a circus would be unfair to the acrobats and clowns.

Messi playing out the final seasons of his career in MLS should be a glorious moment for the sport and its fans to savour, but if lessons are not learned from this preseason parody then that enjoyment will be spoiled.

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How to buy Inter Miami tickets for Messi and co: Dates and prices compared for 2024

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Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami last summer, interest in the team and the sport has soared. Whether you're a Messi enthusiast or a longtime Inter Miami fan, we've compiled everything you need to know about how to buy Inter Miami tickets to see Messi live. 

Inter Miami was first established in 2018. Messi, a world-class player who helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, signed on to join MLS in June of 2023. When he has been able to play, Messi has been an excellent asset to the team, although he's been grappling with some injury issues, and it's unclear exactly which games he'll be able to participate in this season. In addition to the regular MLS season, which is underway, Inter Miami is scheduled to participate in a couple of exciting upcoming tournaments, including Concacaf and the Leagues Cup. 

We've got you covered if you're looking for tickets to Inter Miami games in 2024, where you'll maybe get a chance to see Messi play. Here's our breakdown of the team's schedule, purchasing details, and original and resale ticket prices. If you're interested, you can also browse resale ticket sites like StubHub and Vivid Seats . 

• See also: India vs. Pakistan cricket tickets | US Masters tickets | Watch Champions League free live stream

Inter Miami home game schedule 2024

Inter Miami has over a dozen home games left this season, including the Concacaf Quarterfinals against Monterrey (April 3) and the Leagues Cup against Puebla FC (July 27). Browse all the dates below, and if the team advances in any tournaments, keep an eye out for updates.

Inter Miami away game schedule 2024

Inter Miami has more than a dozen away games left this season, including the Concacaf Quarterfinals against Monterrey (April 10) and the Leagues Cup against Tigres UANL (August 3). Take a look at all the dates below and check back for any updates should the team advance in any tournaments.

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How to buy Inter Miami tickets

Original standard tickets to Inter Miami games are sold through Ticketmaster . Resale tickets can also be purchased on websites like StubHub and Vivid Seats , which typically offer more variety in pricing.  

How much are Inter Miami tickets?

Prices for standard original tickets to Inter Miami games vary depending on the date, location, and whether it's a regular-season or championship match. The cheapest available original standard tickets on Ticketmaster range from $40 (July 3 in Charlotte, NC) to $382 (October 2 in Columbus, OH). The lowest home game tickets available start at $100 for grandstand spots on three dates. Some dates have no original standard tickets left for sale. Most of the cheapest available tickets range from $100 to $200.

On StubHub , resale ticket prices to Inter Miami games are typically a little cheaper than the original standard tickets. The lowest prices range from $43 (July 3 in Charlotte, NC) to $368 (April 10 in Mexico). Most of the cheapest available tickets range from $50 to $200. Vivid Seats offers similar prices with a similar range.

Note: Certain services and regions prohibit the resale of tickets. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal reselling of tickets, and entry into an event is at the venue's discretion.

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Lionel Messi's global tour with Inter Miami has been very messy and a PR nightmare

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TOKYO (AP) — It's all been very messy.

We're talking about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's global tour of exhibition games where the main show has been Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning captain.

The matches are about promotion and marketing , hoping to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the tour is getting mostly bad PR, and results that have not been much better in matches that have stretched from El Salvador, through Dallas, into Saudi Arabia, and then Hong Kong on Sunday.

The next stop is Tokyo's National Stadium on Wednesday against Vissel Kobe, and a wrap-up match on Feb. 16 in Florida against Newell’s Old Boys — Messi’s boyhood club in Argentina, and the club that might be his final destination before retiring.

Through five games, Inter Miami has been outscored 12-7 and won only once. And that was Sunday in Hong Kong, where a 4-1 victory over the local team was overshadowed by angry fans holding up signs demanding a refund and booing since neither Messi nor Suarez played — both out injured and aging.

Messi is 36 and Suarez is 37, and both are more and more subject to nagging injuries.

“The marketing hype in promoting the event to global fans creates high expectations, coupled with government subsidy of the event,” John Grady, a sports law professor at the University of South Carolina, told The Associated Press. "This also raises the expectations that marquee players will appear as advertised.”

Even though fans know the games are for practice, and meaningless in the standings, they still choose to pay high prices and attend. As the phrase goes in Latin — caveat emptor, or “let the buyer beware.”

“As more football teams recruit elite talent with large followings, including on social media, it creates a situation where non-appearance causes fan outrage and results in a public relations headaches," Grady added.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino apologized for Messi's absence after Sunday's Hong Kong match. Fans who saw practice on Saturday at least saw the Argentina captain in a kick-around, with Miami co-owner David Beckham also on the field.

“We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi) and Luis Suarez,” Martino said. “We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness. We wish we could have sent Leo and Luis on for at least a while but the risk was too big.”

Messi came on for the last seven minutes in the 6-0 loss at Al-Nassr — one of the two matches in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — as Inter Miami prepares for its MLS season opener on Feb. 22.

It's anyone's guess if Messi will play on Wednesday in Japan, and if so, how much. Martino will certainly be under pressure to use him some, but Messi is sure to have the final say.

Inter Miami is to practice on Tuesday on the outskirts of Tokyo with snow in the forecast. Wednesday calls for sunny skies but temperatures at game time around freezing.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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One more game remains in Inter Miami’s otherwise disastrous preseason tour

The world tour was a complete failure in many ways.

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Share All sharing options for: One more game remains in Inter Miami’s otherwise disastrous preseason tour

The most recognizable team in Major League Soccer concluded its preseason trip around the world, which saw the team fly over 23,000 miles and took them from Miami to El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Japan.

The tour was set up by Inter Miami in an effort take advantage of the legendary soccer players that they have on the team, specifically Lionel Messi. The world tour was hyped everywhere like the team was soccer’s version of The Beatles, and even Major League Soccer helped by placing the matches on MLS Season Pass.

However, while this was expected to be a showcase of one of the greatest players ever and a team that is destined to compete for several trophies this year, including MLS Cup, it was anything but. Instead, it became a disaster the likes we haven’t seen since attempts to host a music festival on a remote island turned into the biggest farce of all time.

Before the tour even started, the young USMNT midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi was held back from the tour, where he ultimately underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia. He’s out for 2-3 months. Inter Miami started out their tour on the road against El Salvador, where they played Los Catrachos to a scoreless draw. In the process, they lost midfielder Facundo Farías to a torn ACL, further depleting the midfield core.

They then returned to the United States to play FC Dallas at the Cotton Bowl , in a match that they thought would get close to filling the 92,000-seat historic stadium. Instead, in a monsoon, only 32,000 showed, and FC Dallas were the victors by a 1-0 score.

So, down two midfielders, the team made their anticipated trip to Saudi Arabia, where they played 2 matches to open up the brand new Kingdom Arena. They went down 3-0 to Al Hilal before tying the match in what was the most exciting match of Miami’s preseason. Lionel Messi notched his first goal via the penalty spot, much to the delight of the 26,000 in attendance. However, Al Hilal would win 4-3 on a game-winner scored just a couple minutes after Messi exited the match.

A few days later, in a match that was billed as the final competitive match between Lionel Messi and fellow legend of the game Cristiano Ronaldo, Inter Miami took on Al Nassr. However, Cristiano Ronaldo was ruled out of the match due to an injury and Messi started on the bench. Al Nassr took it to Miami, pummeling them 6-0 and forcing Messi to ake an appearance in the 75th minute after Al Nassr’s sixth goal hit the back of the net.

The best match for Inter Miami on the field came on their trip to Hong Kong, as they defeated a Hong Kong Best XI, 4-1. However, the story of the match was that Lionel Messi did not play, held out of that match despite being available due to an inflamed adductor muscle. That did not sit well with the 38,417 in attendance or the Hong Kong government, who demanded an explanation on what they felt was a bait and switch.

Messi was also expected to play against Vissel Kobe, who are managed by longtime Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta. However, like the other matches, problems emerged with this production. MLS announced that the production quality at the stadium would not allow for them to broadcast the match on MLS Season Pass , which meant that for most of the world, the match would not be on television. Then, during a press conference in the days leading up to the match, Lionel Messi admitted that the pressure of the world tour left him exhausted . “I’m a little tired from this whole tour, [I have] a desire to finish up the last game and to return home,” he said.

Like most of the other matches, it was a dud on the field for Miami, as they had another scoreless loss and lost 4-3 on penalties. The biggest blow of the entire preseason may have come 25 minutes into that match, when Sergio Busquets suffered what appeared to be a serious ankle injury and had to be subbed off. Other former Barcelona stars like Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez looked gassed mentally and physically, logging heavy minutes throughout the preseason trip and not offering much production.

So, Inter Miami returns home to prepare for the 2024 MLS season. They have one more friendly on February 15 against Newell’s Old Boys, Lionel Messi’s boyhood club, at DRV PNK Stadium before they have their season opener, six days later. They will also have Concacaf Champions Cup beginning next month.

It remains to be seen whether the tour prepared this team for the hectic calendar, but it did them no favors on their performance. Inter Miami has the highest of expectations, and their preseason tour was the worst possible beginning.

And unfortunately, it was on display for the world to see.

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Lionel Messi's global tour with Inter Miami has been very messy and a PR nightmare

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, center, looks on after the first half of the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Inter Miami's global tour of exhibition games, thought they are about promotion and marketing, hope to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the tour is getting mostly bad PR and results that have not been much better. Credit: AP/Louise Delmotte

TOKYO — It's all been very messy.

We're talking about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's global tour of exhibition games where the main show has been Argentina's 2022 World Cup-winning captain.

The matches are about promotion and marketing, hoping to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the tour is getting mostly bad PR, and results that have not been much better in matches that have stretched from El Salvador, through Dallas, into Saudi Arabia, and then Hong Kong on Sunday.

The next stop is Tokyo's National Stadium on Wednesday against Vissel Kobe, and a wrap-up match on Feb. 16 in Florida against Newell’s Old Boys — Messi’s boyhood club in Argentina, and the club that might be his final destination before retiring.

Through five games, Inter Miami has been outscored 12-7 and won only once. And that was Sunday in Hong Kong, where a 4-1 victory over the local team was overshadowed by angry fans holding up signs demanding a refund and booing since neither Messi nor Suarez played — both out injured and aging.

Messi is 36 and Suarez is 37, and both are more and more subject to nagging injuries.

“The marketing hype in promoting the event to global fans creates high expectations, coupled with government subsidy of the event,” John Grady, a sports law professor at the University of South Carolina, told The Associated Press. "This also raises the expectations that marquee players will appear as advertised.”

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, right, reacts from the bench during the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Credit: AP/Louise Delmotte

Even though fans know the games are for practice, and meaningless in the standings, they still choose to pay high prices and attend. As the phrase goes in Latin — caveat emptor, or “let the buyer beware.”

“As more football teams recruit elite talent with large followings, including on social media, it creates a situation where non-appearance causes fan outrage and results in a public relations headaches," Grady added.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino apologized for Messi's absence after Sunday's Hong Kong match. Fans who saw practice on Saturday at least saw the Argentina captain in a kick-around, with Miami co-owner David Beckham also on the field.

“We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi) and Luis Suarez,” Martino said. “We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness. We wish we could have sent Leo and Luis on for at least a while but the risk was too big.”

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, center back, looks on following the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Credit: AP/Louise Delmotte

Messi came on for the last seven minutes in the 6-0 loss at Al-Nassr — one of the two matches in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — as Inter Miami prepares for its MLS season opener on Feb. 22.

It's anyone's guess if Messi will play on Wednesday in Japan, and if so, how much. Martino will certainly be under pressure to use him some, but Messi is sure to have the final say.

Inter Miami is to practice on Tuesday on the outskirts of Tokyo with snow in the forecast. Wednesday calls for sunny skies but temperatures at game time around freezing.

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Inter Miami | Lionel Messi’s global tour with Inter Miami has been very messy and a PR nightmare

FILE – Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, center, looks on after the first half of the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. Inter Miami’s global tour of exhibition games, thought they are about promotion and marketing, hope to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the tour is getting mostly bad PR and results that have not been much better. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, right, reacts from the bench during the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, center back, looks on following the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, sixth from left, looks on from the bench during the friendly football match between Hong Kong Team and US Inter Miami CF at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)

By STEPHEN WADE (AP)

TOKYO  — It’s all been very messy.

We’re talking about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s global tour of exhibition games where the main show has been Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning captain.

The matches are about promotion and marketing, hoping to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the tour is getting mostly bad PR, and results that have not been much better in matches that have stretched from El Salvador, through Dallas, into Saudi Arabia, and then Hong Kong on Sunday.

The next stop is Tokyo’s National Stadium on Wednesday against Vissel Kobe, and a wrap-up match on Feb. 16 in Florida against Newell’s Old Boys — Messi’s boyhood club in Argentina, and the club that might be his final destination before retiring.

Through five games, Inter Miami has been outscored 12-7 and won only once. And that was Sunday in Hong Kong, where a 4-1 victory over the local team was overshadowed by angry fans holding up signs demanding a refund and booing since neither Messi nor Suarez played — both out injured and aging.

Messi is 36 and Suarez is 37, and both are more and more subject to nagging injuries.

“The marketing hype in promoting the event to global fans creates high expectations, coupled with government subsidy of the event,” John Grady, a sports law professor at the University of South Carolina, told The Associated Press. “This also raises the expectations that marquee players will appear as advertised.”

Even though fans know the games are for practice, and meaningless in the standings, they still choose to pay high prices and attend. As the phrase goes in Latin — caveat emptor, or “let the buyer beware.”

“As more football teams recruit elite talent with large followings, including on social media, it creates a situation where non-appearance causes fan outrage and results in a public relations headaches,” Grady added.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino apologized for Messi’s absence after Sunday’s Hong Kong match. Fans who saw practice on Saturday at least saw the Argentina captain in a kick-around, with Miami co-owner David Beckham also on the field.

“We understand the disappointment of the fans for the absence of Leo (Messi) and Luis Suarez,” Martino said. “We understand a lot of fans are very disappointed and we ask for their forgiveness. We wish we could have sent Leo and Luis on for at least a while but the risk was too big.”

Messi came on for the last seven minutes in the 6-0 loss at Al-Nassr — one of the two matches in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — as Inter Miami prepares for its MLS season opener on Feb. 22.

It’s anyone’s guess if Messi will play on Wednesday in Japan, and if so, how much. Martino will certainly be under pressure to use him some, but Messi is sure to have the final say.

Inter Miami is to practice on Tuesday on the outskirts of Tokyo with snow in the forecast. Wednesday calls for sunny skies but temperatures at game time around freezing.

More in Inter Miami

Inter Miami | Suarez scores fifth goal for Inter Miami in draw with New York City

Inter Miami | Lionel Messi will miss Miami’s game against NYCFC, could return for Champions Cup quarter

Inter Miami | Inter Miami signs defender Marcelo Weigandt on loan from Boca Juniors

Inter Miami | Inter Miami, missing 9 players, shut out by Red Bulls

Inter Miami CF to Visit China This November in Club’s First-Ever International Tour

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Team will hit the road to expand global reach and face two Chinese Super League Teams as it looks ahead to the 2024 season

Inter Miami CF announced today that it will embark on a tour of China this November in the Club’s first-ever international tour, seeking to expand its reach in new territory and begin preparations for 2024. The team will play two Chinese Super League teams in friendly matches, first facing Qingdao Hainiu F.C. in Haikou, China on Nov. 5 at the Wuyuan River Stadium, before playing against Chengdu Rongcheng in Chengdu, China on Nov. 8 at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park. Broadcast details and ticket information will be available in the coming weeks.

“We’re very excited to continue to expand our Club’s global reach, bringing our team to play in front of incredible fans across the globe. This is a special opportunity to share the passion as we reach new audiences and put ourselves on display in new places, and we’re looking forward to beginning this adventure,” said Chief Business Officer Xavier Asensi.

“This will be a great opportunity to continue building on our 2023 campaign, in which we achieved our first-ever trophy. We will take this as an opportunity to begin our preparations for 2024, as we look to build on last season and find more success moving forward,” said Sporting Director and Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson.

Inter Miami’s first stop of the tour will see the Club take on Chinese Super League standout Qingdao Hainiu F.C. at Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China. The Chinese side, founded in 1990, is currently led by Spanish coach Antonio Carreño and since 1997 has remained a regular member of China’s top division, never facing relegation in 26 years.

Inter Miami’s next stop will see the Club visit Chengdu Rongcheng at the Phoenix Hill Sports Park, which seats over 60,000 spectators. Chengdu Rongcheng was founded in 2018, around the same time Inter Miami came into existence. Upon its founding, Chengdu Rongcheng entered into the country’s fourth division; the team went on to earn promotion in three of its first four seasons, reaching the Chinese topflight. Last year, in its first season in the first division, the team continued its upward trajectory, finishing fifth out of 18 teams. The team currently sits in sixth place in the Chinese Super League standings and boasts a brand new state-of-the-art facility.

Related Stories

Lionel Messi ruled out vs. NYCFC. Will Inter Miami star play Monterrey in Champions Cup?

Lionel Messi will not play Saturday for Inter Miami against New York City FC. He continues to deal with a lingering hamstring injury, Miami assistant coach Javi Morales said Friday.

LIVE: Follow here for live updates from Inter Miami's match vs. NYCFC on Saturday night.

The goal is for him to be ready Wednesday for the team's first leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against LIGA MX club Monterrey, but it's not a certainty.

From NFL plays to college sports scores, all the top sports news you need to know every day.

“He is working with the [medical team], but will not be available because we are doing all we can to get him ready for next Wednesday. There is a possibility he will play in that game, that is what we are working for,” Morales said.

Inter Miami has a five-game stretch in the next 15 days, where matches against Monterrey (April 3 and 10), are instrumental to the club’s desire to win its second title of the Messi era, following a Leagues Cup win in August.

Inter Miami will also be without midfielder Federico Redondo, who is out for the next eight weeks with an LCL injury in his left knee.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. New York City FC live stream?

Inter Miami's match against New York City FC will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, and broadcast by MLS Season Pass on Apple TV .

WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami host NYC FC on Apple TV

TICKETS: See Inter Miami in person at home against NYC FC

SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Could Neymar attend Inter Miami vs. NYCFC game?

Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. has spent the week in Miami, attending a Heat game, watching some Miami Open tennis with Heat star Jimmy Butler, throwing the opening pitch at the Marlins season opener, and having dinner with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.

Could Neymar, Messi’s close friend, attend Saturday’s match between Inter Miami and NYCFC? Here’s more on Neymar’s dinner with Beckham, and his connection with Messi .

How has Inter Miami fared without Messi?

Inter Miami has played three matches without Messi this season. They won one of them, but have lost the other two.

Messi watched from the bench as Inter Miami lost 3-2 to Montreal FC on March 10.

Messi did not travel, but praised Inter Miami after a 3-1 win over D.C. United on March 16.

And Inter Miami was held scoreless in a 4-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.

How did Messi injury his hamstring?

Messi left with an injured hamstring in the 50th minute of  Inter Miami's Champions Cup  round-of-16 win over  Nashville SC  on March 13. He also favored his hamstring during a March 7 match against Nashville.

The hamstring injury also caused Messi to miss two Argentina friendlies this month: Argentina beat El Salvador 3-0 on March 22 in Philadelphia, and beat Costa Rica 3-1 on March 26 in Los Angeles.

Both matches served as warmups for this summer’s Copa America 2024.

When will Messi retire? Here's what he said about retirement

Messi has not thought about retirement just yet, and hopes “to continue playing for a while longer” during a podcast released this week, but recorded while he was in Saudi Arabia for Inter Miami’s preseason tour in February.

“I know that (I'll retire) the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I'm not enjoying myself, that I'm not helping my teammates,” Messi said on  MBC1’s Big Time Podcast .

“I am very self-critical. I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well, when I play badly. And when I feel it is time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will always try to continue competing, because it is what I like and what I know how to do.”

Messi has scored five goals with two assists in his five matches this season with Inter Miami. He has 16 goals with seven assists in 19 total appearances dating back to his team debut last July.

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

Here are the next five Inter Miami matches:

•Saturday: Inter Miami vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

•April 3: Inter Miami vs. Monterrey in Champions Cup, 8 p.m. ET

•April 6: Inter Miami vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m. ET

•April 10: Inter Miami at Monterrey in Champions Cup, 10:30 p.m. ET

•April 13: Inter Miami at Sporting Kansas City at Aarowhead Stadium, 8:30 p.m. ET

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi ruled out vs. NYCFC. Will Inter Miami star play Monterrey in Champions Cup?

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Inter Miami vs. New York City FC live stream: MLS prediction, how to watch online with Lionel Messi out, time

Without lionel messi, the herons will look to turn things around.

For yet another week, Inter Miami will be without Lionel Messi . While the international break has come to an end, which sees some of their players return, their talisman is still sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Absent since leaving their Concacaf Champions Cup match with Nashville SC in the 50th minute on March 13, the goal is for Messi to return ahead of facing Monterrey on Wednesday, but the more time that he's sidelined, the more concerning his injury situation becomes.

Miami has been a roller coaster team without Messi, defeating D.C. United by two goals before then falling in the rain in a 4-0 loss to New York Red Bulls last weekend. In the Messi era, the Herons now have a 4-3-6 record when he doesn't start, only scoring 16 goals while conceding 26 during those 13 games. That's not good enough to make playoffs and certainly isn't good enough to get past Monterrey if Messi isn't ready midweek.

Here's our storylines, how you can watch the match and more:

Golazo Starting XI Newsletter

Get your soccer fix from around the globe, your ultimate guide to the beautiful game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters., thanks for signing up, keep an eye on your inbox., there was an error processing your subscription., how to watch and odds.

• Date : Saturday, March 30 |  Time : 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location : Chase Stadium -- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• TV:  None  |  Live stream: MLS Season Pass
• Odds:  Inter Miami -105; Draw +250; New York City FC +280 

Inter Miami:  Messi won't be the only player absent as Federico Redondo has also picked up an injury. The load has fallen to Leonardo Campana and Luis Suarez without Messi, but after losing to Red Bulls, Tata Martino may opt for rotation ahead of a critical match on Wednesday. While it's important to enter the match with positive momentum, there are plenty of reasons why the Herons would be okay losing this one if it meant a win against Monterrey.

New York City FC:  With only one win to begin the season, New York City are close to rock bottom in MLS as everything that they've done since winning MLS Cup in 2021 has turned out poorly for the club. As a member of City Football Group, it does make you wonder at what point results are poor enough to call for a change, and a heavy loss in Miami could be enough to do that.

Despite rotating Miami are able to take advantage of New York's poor form to kick of the season and emerge with a victory.  Pick: Inter Miami 3, New York City 1

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Messi has goal and assist before injury exit as Inter Miami tops Nashville in Champions Cup

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Inter Miami star Lionel Messi started Wednesday’s match on a tear, assisting and scoring a goal in the first 23 minutes against Nashville SC in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 bout.

But five minutes into the second half, Messi came off the pitch as a surprise substitute. Messi experienced some discomfort in his right hamstring , and left the match as a precaution.

Inter Miami didn’t need him anymore, anyway, defeating Nashville 3-1 – and 5-3 on aggregate – to advance to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament.

Inter Miami awaits the winner of CF Monterrey and FC Cincinnati in the next round. Those teams will play in Mexico on Thursday night , with Monterrey up 1-0.

What did Inter Miami coach Tata Martino say about Lionel Messi injury?

“We didn’t want to run a risk,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said of Messi, who has scored five goals in six matches overall this season. “We tried to see if he could go a little longer, but we preferred for him to get out of the game.”

Martino said Messi undergo imaging to see the extent of his injury, and would not be available for Inter Miami’s match Saturday against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington D.C.

“I don’t want to risk it, but I would imagine for Saturday’s match he will not be available,” Martino said. “Looking ahead, we’ll evaluate. He’ll get some imaging done. And we’ll see how it develops.”

How did Messi perform against Nashville SC in Champions Cup?

Messi assisted on Luis Suárez’s goal in the eighth minute of the match, and scored in the 23rd minute after an assist from Diego Gomez to give Inter Miami a 2-0 lead early in the first half.

Messi joined his teammates for the start of the second half, but walked off the pitch after five minutes with Robert Taylor coming into the match.

Nashville coach Gary Smith’s reaction to Messi’s early exit? “Thank goodness,” he said.

Ultimately, Messi’s early exit did not matter.

Taylor scored a header goal from Suárez about 13 minutes after entering the game to give Inter Miami a 3-0 lead, and secure a major cushion over Nashville.

It was Messi and Suárez who rescued Inter Miami when Nashville took a 2-0 lead in the first leg of their Champions Cup matchup . And it was the dynamic duo who has fueled Inter Miami’s quarterfinal berth.

“They started very, very brightly and we were not able to control the first 15 minutes,” Smith said. “It won them the game.”

Nashville’s Sam Surridge scored in the 92 nd minute to spoil Inter Miami goalie Drake Callender’s clean sheet.

It was the second time Inter Miami beat Nashville in four matches – the most frequent opponent Messi has faced in MLS. Although the previous three matches were draws, the first ended in 10-9 penalty kicks with Inter Miami winning the Leagues Cup tournament on Aug. 19, 2023.

Robert Taylor goal: inter Miami 3, Nashville 0

Robert Taylor rose in the air, and delivered a beauty of a header to give Inter Miami a 3-0 lead over Nashville on Wednesday night.

Taylor received the ball from Luis Suárez, who also scored earlier in the match.

Inter Miami has a 5-2 lead in aggregate, and easing any concern why Lionel Messi was pulled early in the second half.

Lionel Messi subs out in 50 th minute: Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0

Lionel Messi is coming off the pitch, leaving the game after being substituted in the 50 th minute – just five minutes after the second half began.

It’s unclear why Messi has left early, perhaps a precaution with a match Saturday against D.C. United and two matches with Argentina later this month.

But the window as opened for Nashville to jump back into this game.

Messi scores goal: Inter Miami 2, Nashville 0

Lionel Messi thought he got fouled, but didn’t give up on the play.

Diego Gomez penetrated and dished to Messi, who did the rest with his legendary left boot in the 23 rd minute.

Messi found the back of the net , and Inter Miami takes a 2-0 lead against Nashville, and has a 4-2 lead in the aggregate.

Luis Suárez goal: Inter Miami 1, Nashville 0

Inter Miami is on the board, and Lionel Messi’s impact has already been felt.

Messi found close friend Luis Suárez open for a breakaway goal in the 8 th minute of the match.

The score came right after Messi’s first shot on goal was too high. But Inter Miami has an early lead over Nashville, and a 3-2 lead in the aggregate.

Messi gets foul, free kick: Inter Miami 0, Nashville 0

Messi broke away with a head of steam in the fourth minute, and was fouled as he approached the penalty area.

But Messi’s free kick collided into a wall of defenders.

It was a moment where Messi’s acceleration was on prime display, but an early opportunity Inter Miami could not convert.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC live stream

The Inter Miami vs. Nashville match kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on FS2 in English and TUDN in Spanish. 

WATCH :  Messi and Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Fubo

TICKETS :  See Messi and Inter Miami in person vs. Nashville SC

SHOP :  Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Starting 11s for Inter Miami, Nashville SC

Lionel Messi, as well as his former FC Barcelona teammates Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, are in the starting lineup for Inter Miami. Alba started Sunday's game, while Busquets and Suárez came on as second-half substitutes.

For Nashville SC, Taylor Washington starts in place of two-time MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman, who suffered a knee injury in last week's Concacaf Champions Cup game vs. Inter Miami.

Messi arrives for Inter Miami vs. Nashville SC

All smiles from Messi and he walked into Chase Stadium for tonight’s match.

Inter Miami vs. Nashville score predictions

Safid Deen , Lionel Messi reporter, USA TODAY :

Inter Miami 3, Nashville 2:  Messi and Luis Suárez need to lead the way again for Inter Miami, but they won’t trail from the jump like the first leg. Still, Nashville will be persistent and test Miami like they have in three previous matchups. 

Jacob Shames , Nashville SC beat writer, The Tennessean :

Nashville 2, Inter Miami 1:  Why not? Messi or no Messi, Nashville has done a better job defending him than most MLS teams have done, and is starting to get its own attack healthy and rolling.

Messi is a 'conundrum' for Nashville coach Gary Smith

Nashville will face Messi for the fourth time — the most of any opponent since he joined Inter Miami and MLS.

Nashville coach Gary Smith has praised Messi each time, and said Tuesday defending Messi a “never-ending conundrum.”

“You try to set up a group to try and limit what he’s able to do. He’s proved throughout his career, at the very best levels,” Smith said. “No matter how good you are defensively or how organized you are, the caliber of the individual will always find a way.”

Inter Miami vs. Nashville Champions Cup highlights

What happened in the first matchup? Messi scored a goal in the 52 nd  minute , while  Luis Suárez’s header  in the fifth minute of extra time helped Inter Miami storm back to finish a 2-2 draw against Nashville in the first leg last Thursday. Nashville’s Jacob Shaffelburg scored twice in the opening minutes of each half to give his side a 2-0 lead.

What does Inter Miami need to advance in Champions Cup? 

Inter Miami needs an outright win, or a 0-0 draw or 1-1 draw to advance. 

What does Nashville need to advance in Champions Cup? 

Nashville needs an outright win, or a draw with the score of at least 3 goals to advance.

What if Inter Miami and Nashville need a tiebreaker in Champions Cup? 

If the aggregate score, or the results of both matches added together remains tied, away goals will work as the first tiebreaker. 

If Inter Miami and Nashville play to another 2-2 draw Wednesday, they will play extra time. If the score remains tied, it will be decided by penalty kicks. 

What's next for the Inter Miami-Nashville winner?

The Inter Miami-Nashville winner will face either LIGA MX side C.F. Monterrey or MLS side FC Cincinnati , the 2023 Supporters’ Shield winners. 

Monterrey has a 1-0 lead in the aggregate , and hosts Cincinnati in the second leg on Thursday night in Mexico.

The quarterfinals for the Concacaf Champions Cup will be held April 2-11.

What is Messi and Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule? 

Messi will likely play his final match of the month with Inter Miami on Saturday, before joining Argentina for two Copa America warmups later this month. 

Inter Miami visits D.C. United on Saturday. Then, Messi will join Argentina for a match against El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22, and Costa Rica in Los Angeles on March 26. 

Messi could miss two Inter Miami games: Inter Miami vs. New York Red Bulls on March 23 and Inter Miami vs. New York City FC on March 30 for rest purposes. 

Lionel Messi ruled out vs. NYCFC. Will Inter Miami star play Monterrey in Champions Cup?

Lionel Messi will not play Saturday for Inter Miami against New York City FC. He continues to deal with a lingering hamstring injury, Miami assistant coach Javi Morales said Friday.

LIVE: Follow here for live updates from Inter Miami's match vs. NYCFC on Saturday night.

The goal is for him to be ready Wednesday for the team's first leg of its Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against LIGA MX club Monterrey, but it's not a certainty.

“He is working with the [medical team], but will not be available because we are doing all we can to get him ready for next Wednesday. There is a possibility he will play in that game, that is what we are working for,” Morales said.

Inter Miami has a five-game stretch in the next 15 days, where matches against Monterrey (April 3 and 10), are instrumental to the club’s desire to win its second title of the Messi era, following a Leagues Cup win in August.

Inter Miami will also be without midfielder Federico Redondo, who is out for the next eight weeks with an LCL injury in his left knee.

How to watch Inter Miami vs. New York City FC live stream?

Inter Miami's match against New York City FC will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, and broadcast by MLS Season Pass on Apple TV .

WATCH: Messi and Inter Miami host NYC FC on Apple TV

TICKETS: See Inter Miami in person at home against NYC FC

SHOP: Get the latest Messi and Inter Miami gear from the MLS Store

Could Neymar attend Inter Miami vs. NYCFC game?

Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. has spent the week in Miami, attending a Heat game, watching some Miami Open tennis with Heat star Jimmy Butler, throwing the opening pitch at the Marlins season opener, and having dinner with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.

Could Neymar, Messi’s close friend, attend Saturday’s match between Inter Miami and NYCFC? Here’s more on Neymar’s dinner with Beckham, and his connection with Messi .

How has Inter Miami fared without Messi?

Inter Miami has played three matches without Messi this season. They won one of them, but have lost the other two.

Messi watched from the bench as Inter Miami lost 3-2 to Montreal FC on March 10.

Messi did not travel, but praised Inter Miami after a 3-1 win over D.C. United on March 16.

And Inter Miami was held scoreless in a 4-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls last Saturday.

How did Messi injury his hamstring?

Messi left with an injured hamstring in the 50th minute of  Inter Miami's Champions Cup  round-of-16 win over  Nashville SC  on March 13. He also favored his hamstring during a March 7 match against Nashville.

The hamstring injury also caused Messi to miss two Argentina friendlies this month: Argentina beat El Salvador 3-0 on March 22 in Philadelphia, and beat Costa Rica 3-1 on March 26 in Los Angeles.

Both matches served as warmups for this summer’s Copa America 2024.

When will Messi retire? Here's what he said about retirement

Messi has not thought about retirement just yet, and hopes “to continue playing for a while longer” during a podcast released this week, but recorded while he was in Saudi Arabia for Inter Miami’s preseason tour in February.

“I know that (I'll retire) the moment I feel that I am no longer able to perform, that I'm not enjoying myself, that I'm not helping my teammates,” Messi said on  MBC1’s Big Time Podcast .

“I am very self-critical. I know when I am good, when I am bad, when I play well, when I play badly. And when I feel it is time to take that step, I will take it without thinking about age. If I feel good, I will always try to continue competing, because it is what I like and what I know how to do.”

Messi has scored five goals with two assists in his five matches this season with Inter Miami. He has 16 goals with seven assists in 19 total appearances dating back to his team debut last July.

What is Inter Miami’s upcoming schedule?

Here are the next five Inter Miami matches:

•Saturday: Inter Miami vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. ET

•April 3: Inter Miami vs. Monterrey in Champions Cup, 8 p.m. ET

•April 6: Inter Miami vs. Colorado Rapids, 7:30 p.m. ET

•April 10: Inter Miami at Monterrey in Champions Cup, 10:30 p.m. ET

•April 13: Inter Miami at Sporting Kansas City at Aarowhead Stadium, 8:30 p.m. ET