Hong Kong XI - Inter Miami live online: score, stats and updates, MLS friendly

The Herons have landed

Inter Miami have arrived at Hong Kong Stadium for this friendly fixture against a local Select XI. We're expecting a capacity crowd for today's Game, particularly considering the huge crowd that gathered for an open training session yesterday. 

Inter Miami will be the heavy favourites today and will be desperate to pick up their first victory of preseason 2024. 

Inter Miami may start without Messi, Suarez

A supposed team sheet for today's game, circulating on social media, suggests that Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will all start on the bench in Hong Kong.

We are yet to get official confirmation but the Herons may be shifting away from the 5-3-2 formation utilised by Martino over preseason; only four specialist defenders have been named in this apparent starting XI. 

We haven't yet had official team news but reports suggest that Inter Miami's ex-Barcelona quartet are starting on the substitutes' bench.

The South China Morning Post says: "Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are all among the substitutes for today’s Game."

We'll look to get confirmation on that as soon as we can, but it would not be a surprise to see Tata Martino ring the changes after a disappointing start to preseason. 

Miami supporters travel around the world for Hong Kong clash

The Herons' world tour is designed to help boost the club's visibility outside of the United States, but there are a few Miami locals making the trip to watch the team. Members of the Southern Legion supporters group are on the ground in Hong Kong, soaking up the atmosphere as kickoff approaches in Inter Miami's fifth preseason fixture of 2024. 

That is some serious dedication from the Miami contingent!

SOCCER

Hong Kong - Inter Miami: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Friendly

We're less than an hour away from kickoff at Hong Kong Stadium as Inter Miami continue their preseason preparations against a Hong Kong Select XI. The Herons' globetrotting world tour has drawn huge attention but the team are yet to capture the imagine on the field. 

We'll be bringing you full live text commentary right here, but you can also watch or stream the Game. Here's everything you need to know...

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Tata Martino on Miami's preseason struggles

Watch: Huge crowd in attendance for Inter Miami training

The opportunity to see Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez in the flesh does not come around too often, and soccer fans in Hong Kong have been taking full advantage. The stands of the Hong Kong Stadium were packed for an open training session, with the full Inter Miami squad being put through their paces ahead of today's preseason friendly.

INTER MIAMI

Will Messi play for Inter Miami in the preseason friendly against Hong Kong XI?

The fitness and form of Lionel Messi has been one of the main talking points for Inter Miami in the build-up to this morning's game. The Herons' captain has scored just once, a penalty, so far in the preseason fixtures and a slight hamstring injury restricted him to a late cameo against Al-Nassr on Thursday. 

Is this the day Messi kick-starts his 2024? We'll find out very shortly...

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INTER MIAMI

Inter Miami under pressure to improve ahead of new MLS season

Inter Miami's preseason tour is yet to really get going, in terms of the on-field performances, at least. Their four fixtures have resulted in one goalless draw and three defeats, one of which was a 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Al-Nassr. 

Tata Martino has a big job on his hands to bring together this very disparate, very top-heavy Herons squad as the MLS season approaches. 

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Huge crowds in Hong Kong for Inter Miami

The Herons' results have left a lot to be desired so far, but there is no doubting their incredible popularity and Lionel Messi's enduring draw. On Saturday an open training session packed the Hong Kong Stadium as locals strained to get a glimpse of the star-studded squad in action. 

MLS

Lionel Messi injury update: Inter Miami press conference ahead of Hong Kong game

On Friday Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino was asked about the fitness of Lionel Messi. The Herons boss refused to give a definitive answer but suggested that Messi, who took part in an open training session on Saturday, who be able to play some part in Hong Kong. 

“We want Leo [Messi] to play as much as possible,” Martino said. “We will evaluate the players. The hope is that Leo can play the most minutes. We will see in tomorrow’s training but it is likely he will play on Sunday.”

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Hoy juega Inter Miami!

They certainly do! The Herons' fifth fixture of preseason 2024 sees them take on a Hong Kong XI, with kick off set for 3am ET / midnight PT. 

We should have team news for you fairly soon, with Lionel Messi expected to return to the starting XI after being forced to sit out most of Thursday's defeat to Al-Nassr. 

Good morning, coffees at the ready. 

Inter Miami continue their globe-trotting world tour today with a friendly fixture against a Hong Kong Select XI, taking on the finest players the special administrative region has to offer. 

The big talk ahead of kickoff has been the fitness of Lionel Messi, who was only deemed fit enough to play for the final six minutes against Al-Nassr earlier this week. 

I'm Will Gittins, and I'll be bringing you all the action as the Herons continue their search for a first victory of 2024...