6-2-2024 (TOKYO) International football icon Lionel Messi, currently visiting Japan with Inter Miami, broke his silence on the recent controversy surrounding his absence during the team’s visit to Hong Kong. In a press conference held at a Tokyo hotel today, Messi publicly addressed the issue for the first time, shedding light on the situation that had sparked speculation and debate.
The press conference, held at around 11.30am local time and attended by numerous journalists, provided Messi with the platform to clarify his stance. Dressed in his Inter Miami team uniform, Messi fielded questions from the media, starting with inquiries about his impressions of Japan and messages for Japanese fans.
Throughout the session, Messi maintained composure, occasionally offering smiles amid a mostly stoic expression. A diverse range of questions came from journalists in the audience, all of which Messi addressed candidly. Notably, when questioned about his absence during the Hong Kong visit, Messi displayed signs of contemplation, occasionally scratching his head and shrugging during his response.
Messi arrived in Tokyo last night, promptly addressing the media’s queries in today’s press conference. In contrast, during his stay in Hong Kong, he abstained from press engagements. The team’s pre-match and post-match press conferences in Hong Kong were conducted by head coach Tata Martino and forward Luis Suarez, with Messi noticeably absent.
Following Messi’s inability to participate in the second half of the exhibition match in Hong Kong, the local government and event organizers sought an explanation from Inter Miami. Despite requests for Messi to address fans publicly, he left the stadium without making any statements during the post-match ceremony.
Messi cited discomfort caused by swelling in his adductor muscle as the reason for his absence from the high-profile match in Hong Kong. Expressing his regret at missing the opportunity to play, Messi hoped for another chance to engage with fans in Hong Kong in the future.
As for his potential participation in Inter Miami’s friendly match against J-League champions Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, Messi remained uncertain, indicating that his availability would depend on his condition after today’s training session. However, he expressed eagerness to play, stating that he feels significantly better than he did a few days ago.
Unlike the situation in Hong Kong where anticipation was high and tickets were sold out, there were still numerous tickets available for the Tokyo match, which went on sale in late December.
Leo Messi: I am very happy to play here in Japan
— Leo Messi ???? Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) February 6, 2024
