Sergio Busquets sustained an injury during Inter Miami’s match against Vissel Kobe. The incident occurred after a harsh tackle by Yuya Okaka, which led to Busquets being forced off the pitch.
Despite the tackle not resulting in a yellow card, it raised concerns about player safety. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, followed by a penalty shootout, which Vissel Kobe won 4-3.
Notably, Lionel Messi played in the match without aggravating his existing injury. The fallout from the pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, where Messi remained on the bench due to his injury, caused disappointment among fans.
Messi later expressed improvement in his condition and a desire to return to play. Inter Miami is preparing for the upcoming 2024 MLS season, which will commence with a match against Real Salt Lake in Florida.
However, the team has faced challenges, including backlash from the Hong Kong game and multiple player injuries. Head coach Tara Martino emphasized the importance of prioritizing player safety, stating that it would have been risky to involve Messi in the Hong Kong match, despite the desire for his participation.
The team’s upcoming schedule includes a match against Messi’s favorite team, Newell’s Old Boys, adding to the anticipation for their season opener.