The eagerly anticipated tour of Inter Miami, featuring the iconic Lionel Messi, to China has already encountered turmoil even before it commences.
Soccer enthusiasts across Asia were thrilled at the prospect of witnessing the legendary Messi’s presence once again, especially following what is anticipated to be his eighth Ballon d’Or win in 2023.
The Argentine icon is poised to add another Golden Ball to his collection during the glamorous ceremony scheduled for October 30 in Paris.
Shortly after this prestigious event, Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Inter Miami had plans to embark on a tour to China, where they were slated to play a series of friendly matches.
Originally, their itinerary included a match against Qingdao Hainiu on November 5, followed by a game against Chengdu Rongcheng three days later.
According to the South China Morning Post, the second of those fixtures has been cancelled, with “various reasons” being cited for the late change in plans.
Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi expected to be a part of their travel contingent, are still scheduled to compete against Qingdao.
Nevertheless, there have been adjustments made to the schedule, relocating the match from the initially planned 50,000-seat Qingdao Youth Football Stadium to the 41,500-capacity Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou.
There have been conflicting statements from event organisers regarding the ticket sale date, and now there is only one game for fans to look forward to.
This has left disgruntled supporters expressing their discontent on social media, as their initial feelings of joy and anticipation have turned into frustration and bewilderment.