Here, Messi will meet again his special friend, famous player Andres Iniesta . Iniesta is currently 39 years old, playing for the Emirates Club team in the UAE. This 2010 World Cup champion with the Spanish team, spent more than 5 years playing for Vissel Kobe, and considers this place his home after FC Barcelona .
Messi and Iniesta (right) are very close teammates at Barcelona
Messi and Iniesta are very close teammates at Barcelona. They spent many years competing together and won many trophies. Although he was busy playing for Emirates Club, Iniesta was allowed to return to Tokyo to meet Messi and attend the match between Inter Miami Club and Vissel Kobe.
On his personal Instagram account , Iniesta announced that he had returned to Tokyo on February 5 and was waiting to welcome Messi and his teammates.
According to AS newspaper (Spain): “Messi is completely comfortable when he comes to Tokyo, despite the scandal of not playing in Hong Kong causing a lot of criticism. The Argentinian player is suffering from an injury of calf myositis. It is currently unclear whether he will be able to return to play in time against Vissel Kobe. Inter Miami Club also did not confirm the possibility of both Messi and striker Suarez playing, after both missed the match in Hong Kong.”
In Inter Miami’s 5 training matches before the 2024 MLS season so far, Messi has not played a full 90 minutes in any match. The last match this famous player played was just a few minutes at the end of the 0-6 loss to Al Nassr Club on February 2. Previously, in the 3-4 loss to Al Hilal on January 30, with Messi and Suarez scoring for the first time in 2024, this famous player played from the start and left the field in the 88th minute. After the match against Al Hilal, Inter Miami Club just a few hours before the match against Al Nassr announced that Messi was injured and only sat on the bench.
Messi and his teammates at Inter Miami Club arrived in Tokyo
“It is certain that Messi is injured. That is why coach Tata Martino and Inter Miami Club President David Beckham cannot risk throwing their valuable assets on the field. Furthermore , these are just training matches. Messi and Inter Miami still have a long season ahead, so if due to commercial factors, this famous player still plays on the field, it will easily lead to a worse outcome. “, AS newspaper evaluated.
After the match with Vissel Kobe Club on February 7, Messi and his teammates at Inter Miami Club will return to the United States to continue a friendly match with Newell’s Old Boys Club (Argentina) on February 15. Messi and his teammates will play the opening match of the 2024 MLS season against Real Salt Lake Club at home on February 22.
