Inter Miami tickets selling for £600 despite no Lionel Messi guarantees – with Hong Kong friendly organisers sending warning to excited fans

It has been announced that the MLS outfit will be taking in a historic first international tour in 2024 – as they ready themselves for the start of another domestic campaign. Part of their pre-season programme will be spent in the Far East.

Inter Miami are due to face a team made up of Hong Kong-based stars on February 4 – with “marquee players” being promised for that fixture. That could mean that the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez take to the field. Organisers have, however, stated publicly that they cannot confirm Messi’s presence.

That is doing little to curb excitement ahead of the game, with the match having sold out in under an hour. Entrance passes are now being sold on the Viagogo resale site for HK$12,000 (£1,200/$1,500) a pair. For as long as there is a chance of Messi taking to the field, fans will continue to snap up tickets.

Messi is set to figure prominently for Inter Miami in their pre-season schedule, as he works his way back to full match sharpness, but the Herons are due to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr just three days prior to taking on Hong Kong – and there is no chance of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner missing a reunion with his eternal rival.