Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s China tour descends into CHAOS as second game is mysteriously ‘canceled’ after a late stadium switch for the first
- Miami was scheduled to face CSL clubs Qingdao Hainiu and Chengdu Rongcheng
- But the November 8 match against Chengdu has been canceled for ‘various reasons’
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Inter Miami’s postseason tour of China has been thrown into chaos after organizers mysteriously canceled the team’s second match for “various reasons.”
Just six days before Lionel Messi and Co fly over, Miami will now play just one friendly against Chinese Super League club Qingdao Hainiu on November 5, which was also subject to a last-minute venue change.
Tata Martino’s men were also due to take on another Super League side in Chengdu Rongcheng three days later, but according to South China morning mailThat match has now been canceled for unknown reasons.
After heading to China next Thursday, Miami will take on Qingdao at Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou three days later.
It remains to be seen whether the MLS club will arrange another friendly in the wake of the cancellation with Chengdu.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s postseason tour of China has been thrown into chaos
Tata Martino’s team flies to China next week, but they now have one match in hand after the second was mysteriously canceled
Miami’s game against Chengdu Rongcheng on November 8 has been canceled for “various reasons.”
Chinese football fans are bracing for the arrival of Messi, who scored 11 goals in his first half of the season for Miami after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
The 36-year-old, who led Argentina to World Cup glory just ten months ago, inspired his new team to their first ever success in the Leagues Cup final, while also reaching the final of the US Open Cup.
However, Miami will now head to China for a postseason tour after missing this season’s MLS playoffs.
Certain reports have suggested that Messi could leave temporarily and rejoin a loaned European club before the 2024 MLS season begins in February next year, with the former Barcelona and several Saudi Arabian teams in the area.
But Messi now looks set to stay in Miami and get his preparations underway for his first full season at the DRV PNK Stadium.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was officially named a finalist for Major League Soccer’s Newcomer of the Year award this week.
It comes as Messi is also considered the favorite to win the Ballon d’Or again this year after leading Argentina to the World Cup last December.