Why isn’t Lionel Messi starting for Inter Miami in the preseason game against Vissel Kobe?

Inter Miami end their pre-season tour of Asia against Vissel Kobe in Japan on Wednesday but will again be without the services of star man Lionel Messi…at least from the start of the Game.

Outrage in Hong Kong over Messi absence

The Argentina captain’s absence from Sunday’s win over Hong Kong caused outrage among local fans, who were left wondering when they might get another chance to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. The Hong Kong government even got involved and have threatened not to pay the match organiser - and The Herons - for breach of contract.

An agreement was in place for Messi to play for at least 45 minutes against a Hong Kong XI but he ultimately wasn’t on the field for a single second because of an injury which had also restricted him to less than 10 minutes in the Riyadh Season Cup thrashing by Al Nassr, for whom Cristiano Ronaldo was missing because of his own fitness issues.

What injury is Messi suffering from?

Before facing Vissel Kobe, the former Barcelona playmaker revealed why he was forced to sit out the Game at the weekend: “It was bad luck that I couldn’t play. I felt some discomfort in my adductor when we were in Saudi Arabia. An MRI scan showed I had some swelling, but no injury. It was a shame. I really wanted to play, especially because a lot of people came. It was so far away and people were so excited... but that’s part of the Game.”

Messi was hopeful of returning for the game in Japan, saying he felt “much better” and that a decision would be made after Monday’s training session. But it has been decided it isn’t work risking him from the start, although we could get a glimpse of him later on as he has been listed among the substitutes. Luis Suárez, on the other hand, is back after being an unused sub last time out.

After taking Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, Miami and Messi will return to the United States, where they will then face Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys on 15 February before starting their MLS campaign at home to Real Salt Lake on 21 February.