Leg ‘getting better’ but could miss Japan tie, says Messi

TOKYO: Lionel Messi said on Tuesday his leg injury was ‘geting beter’ but the World Cup-winning captain could not guarantee he would be fit to play in Inter Miami’s pre-season friendly in Japan this week.

Two days ago, furious fans in Hong Kong booed Messi and club co-owner David Beckham, shouting “Refund”, ater the Argentina great failed to take the field for a sold-out friendly.

“I don’t know if I can (play) or not but I feel a lot beter and really want to do it,” eight-time Ballon d’or winner Messi told reporters ahead of their match against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe on Wednesday.

“This aternoon we’re going to practise, we’ll try again. I have a good feeling, compared to how I was.”

Excitement has been building for the friendly at Tokyo’s National Stadium, with Inter Miami’s pink colours adorning parts of the city’s trendy Shibuya district.

Tickets for the Japan leg of the US Major League Soccer (MLS) club’s globe-troting pre-season tour are costing between 10,000 yen ($68) and 200,000 yen ($1,346) with “special experience” packages priced even higher.

A crowd of nearly 40,000 in Hong Kong who paid for similarly expensive tickets were involved in angry scenes, jeering and giving thumbs-down signs, ater Messi stayed rooted to the bench during their 4-1 win against a local select XI.

The Hong Kong government demanded an explanation from the match’s organisers.

“It was really bad luck that I couldn’t play in Hong Kong,” Messi said.

“Unfortunately this happens in football, in any game it can happen that you can’t play,” he added.

“I always want to participate, I want to play, especially in these games where we travel so far and people want to see our games. I hope we can return and play a game in Hong Kong.”