Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has addressed fans following the cancellation of the club's scheduled friendly match against Independiente del Valle. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the match, which was set to take place in Puerto Rico, was intended to be the final pre-season test for the American side.
The World Cup winner sustained an injury during last weekend's match against Ecuador's Barcelona SC. Despite scoring in that fixture, the Argentine star was forced to leave the pitch in the second half due to physical discomfort. This injury has temporarily delayed the highly anticipated appearance of the football icon for fans in Puerto Rico.
Addressing the situation, the 36-year-old forward clarified the reasons for the cancellation:
"I had to finish the last match in Ecuador early because I felt some discomfort. After consulting with the club and organizers, we decided not to take any risks and suspended this match. I hope we can reschedule and meet you in the near future. I am grateful for your support."
The star forward acknowledged that tickets had already been sold and emphasized his commitment to meeting the people of Puerto Rico before the MLS season kicks off on February 21. Inter Miami enters the new campaign as defending champions, having secured their first-ever MLS Cup title last season with a victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
This incident follows a similar occurrence during the club's pre-season tour in Hong Kong, where Messi's absence due to injury led to the club refunding a portion of ticket costs to fans. Since Messi's arrival in the United States, Inter Miami's international tours have become major global events, significantly increasing the profile of Major League Soccer (MLS) on the world stage. The club is currently focused on ensuring the captain's fitness for the official season opener in Azerbaijan and other international broadcast markets.
