When will Onana learn?! Man Utd 'keeper goes from hero to zero

Reds ragged again as Liverpool lose yet more ground

Gallagher drives Chelsea comeback on Palmer off-night

Heartbreak for Hayes! Dreadful decisions ruin fairy-tale ending

Arne Slot: Why Liverpool got fiery Dutchman to replace Klopp

Conte is back! Ex-Chelsea boss set to return to management 

'Awkward & embarrassed' - Mullin struggling to deal with fame

Terry says Ferdinand still blanks him over racial abuse claims

Salah backed to leave Anfield after touchline spat with Klopp

Done deal! Feyenoord boss Slot to replace Klopp at Liverpool

Man Utd 2024-25 kit: Everything we know so far

Tuchel responds to fan petition pleading for Bayern stay

Explained: How much promotion is worth to Wrexham

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Argentine icon did not figure in friendly</li><li>Uruguayan striker also left on the bench</li><li>Trip to Japan next up for the Herons</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Explained: Why Lionel Messi & Luis Suarez didn’t play for Inter Miami against Hong Kong XI

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

New York Red Bulls

The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-hong-kong-40-000-capacity-inter-miami-training-argentina/blt3c997cf4fb2219f9" target="_blank">arrival of eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi in the Far East caused quite a stir</a>, with fans desperate to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-shifts-tickets-inter-miami-friendly-hong-kong-sells-out-60-minutes-cheapest-seats-113/blt5ff2782d12677eb8" target="_blank">catch a glimpse of the all-time great</a> in action. They were also excited by the prospect of watching former Barcelona stars Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Busquets and Alba did step off the bench in Hong Kong, as the Herons claimed a 4-1 win and their first victory of pre-season in 2024, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-get-there-in-the-end-lionel-messi-watches-on-as-herons-beat-spirited-hong-kong-xi-in-pre-season-friendly/bltb6c04eb564e68006" target="_blank">Messi and Suarez were unused substitutes</a>. Messi only saw <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-lionel-messi-booed-ishowspeed-inter-miami-defeat-al-nassr-youtube-star-yelling-ronaldo-better/blt79c3feaa7a517b56" target="_blank">seven minutes of action in Inter Miami’s defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Al-Nassr</a>, after picking up a slight knock, and no gambles are being taken on fitness at this stage.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Inter Miami boss Martino told reporters when asked about the absence of two superstar performers: “We understand the fans’ disappointment in the absence of Messi and Suarez, and we apologise for that, but this was a decision made with our medical staff. If there was a way they could have played even a little while we would have done it, but there was too much risk involved."

WHAT MARTINO SAID ABOUT MESSI

Inter Miami are set to face Japanese side Vissel Kobe on Wednesday, before returning to the United States. A final friendly outing on home soil against <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/messi-kendisini-futbol-sahnesine-cikaran-takimin-rakibi-olacak-tarih-aciklandi/blt5e93e322020f3d4c">Argentine outfit Newell’s Old Boys – Messi’s first club</a> – will carry them into a MLS season opener versus Real Salt Lake on February 21.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI & INTER MIAMI?

Explained: Why Lionel Messi & Luis Suarez didn’t play for Inter Miami against Hong Kong XI  | Goal.com

Tata Martino says there was “too much risk involved” for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to line up for Inter Miami against a Hong Kong Select XI.

Editors' Picks