Lionel Messi and Inter Milan will hope to turn their putrid 2024 preseason tour around as they travel to Hong Kong for a quick turnaround against a select squad of domestic league players.
The Inter Milan pre-season tour continues on Sunday as they battle the top players selected to the Hong Kong XI side in a friendly at Hong Kong Stadium.
After reports that Messi felt “discomfort” in the run-up to the match, he was released to a late cameo with Inter Milan blasted 6-0 against AI Nassr on Thursday. Just three days later, they will continue their global circumnavigation heads of the coming competitive campaign.
The heavy defeat follows a poor run of fixtures for Inter Miami this preseason, drawing 0-0 against a second-choice El Salvador national team to begin the schedule followed by a 1-0 defect to FC Dallas in Texas and 4-3 loss to Al Hilal in Riyadh.
Defensive woes were a hallmark of Inter Miami’s poor campaign last year and they are beginning to rear up again in preseason, leaving Tata Martino with lots to ponder with the season drawing closer. Add in fitness concerns for its biggest star and Inter Miami have issues to sort out on multiple fronts.
Although Lionel Messi made a brief appearance against AI Nassr, the report said that the Argentine had minor hamstring problems. However, Tata Martino gave a positive update on the captain. The situation remains unchanged for Benjamin Cremaschi, lan Fray, Franco Negri, Facundo Farias, and Corentin Jean, who are still on the sideline because of injury.
As for the Hong Kong XI, a fit set of players has been chosen by Norwegian manager Jorn Anderson, so no concerns there.
Expected Lineups for Hong Kong XI vs Inter Miami
Hong Kong XI (4-4-2 formation): Yapp; Ngai Hoi, Angel, Chow; Gerbig, Burkatt, Kwan, Gondra; Camargo, Anier.
Inter Miami (3-5-2 formation): Doe Santos; Kryvtsov, Aviles, Allen; Sunderland, Ruiz, Gregore, Gressel, Yedlin; Taylor, Campana.
What time does Inter Miami vs Hong Kong XI kick off?
The friendly match kicks off at Hong Stadium on Sunday, February 4 at 4 p.m.local time in south Asia.
How to watch Hong Kong XI vs Inter Miami?
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sun, Feb. 4 | 3 a.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sun, Feb. 4 | 12 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sun, Feb. 4 | 8 a.m. GMT |
| Australia | Sun, Feb. 4 | 7 p.m. AEDT |
| India | Sun, Feb. 4 | 1:30 p.m. IST |
How to watch Hong Kong XI vs. Inter Miami?
The match can be watched and steamed live online in the United States and globally via Apple TV, utilizing the MLS Season Pass.