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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine sat out first game of Far East tour</li><li>Supporters have called for a refund</li><li>Game in Japan is next on the agenda</li></ul>

Lionel Messi reveals 'the truth' about Hong Kong friendly absence after fierce backlash as Inter Miami superstar delivers fitness update ahead of Vissel Kobe fixture in Tokyo

<p>The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/revealed-absent-inter-miami-superstar-lionel-messi-contracted-play-45-minutes-hong-kong-rejected-offer-calm-raging-fans/blt068f8635b400ce62" target="_blank">sparked a fierce backlash</a> from disgruntled supporters in Asia when sitting out an exhibition game against a Hong Kong Select XI on Sunday. Angry fans took to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-david-beckham-booed-angry-fans-hong-kong-inter-miami-refund-requests-argentine-bench/blt329fc97c133e1c35" target="_blank">booing the Argentine icon</a> after seeing him remain rooted to the bench – while also jeering Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham – and the all-time great has now moved on to Japan ahead of another pre-season fixture on Wednesday.</p><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;"><span class="affiliate-text">Watch Inter Miami with the MLS Season Pass</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank">Stream now</a></div>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Messi <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fans-climb-mountain-watch-lionel-messi-disappointed-inter-miami-argentine-superstar-bench-hong-kong/blt62bfd0dc34b0fd20" target="_blank">has been nursing a knock</a>, but told reporters when asked about his possible involvement against Vissel Kobe: “The truth is that I feel very good compared to a few days ago. And depending on how that (training) goes. And if I’m honest, I still don’t know if I will be able to or not. But I feel much better and I really want to be able to do it.”</p>

WHAT MESSI SAID

<p>Messi went on to say of the unfortunate circumstances that forced him to disappoint followers in Hong Kong, while vowing to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-mania-fans-wild-inter-miami-hong-kong-ship-sail-pink-replica-shirts-selling-out/blt8d91726277f0d5b0" target="_blank">return to the region at some point and put on a show</a>: “The truth is that it was bad luck that I couldn’t (play) on the day of the Hong Kong match. Unfortunately, in football, things can happen in any game, that we may have an injury. It’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these games when we travel so far and people are so excited to see our matches. I hope we can return and we can play another game and I can be present. As I do whenever I can. But the truth is that it is a shame that I was not able to participate.”</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>A meeting with Vissel Kobe is Inter Miami’s last of a jet-setting international tour that has taken them from El Salvador to the Far East via Saudi Arabia. They have <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-newells-old-boys-date-revealed-inter-miami-superstar-reunion-childhood-club/blt5e93e322020f3d4c" target="_blank">one more friendly back on American soil, against Messi’s first club Newell’s Old Boys</a>, before <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-ends-retirement-league-talk-mls-usmnt-star-inter-miami-rival-tim-parker-change-old-guys-discussion/blt39b42eefdf4616c0" target="_blank">opening the 2024 MLS campaign</a> at home to Real Salt Lake on February 21.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Lionel Messi reveals 'the truth' about Hong Kong friendly absence after fierce backlash as Inter Miami superstar delivers fitness update ahead of Vissel Kobe fixture in Tokyo | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has revealed “the truth” about missing Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Hong and delivered an injury update ahead of facing Vissel Kobe.

Lionel Messi reveals &apos;the truth&apos; about Hong Kong friendly absence after fierce backlash as Inter Miami superstar delivers fitness update ahead of Vissel Kobe fixture in Tokyo