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Lionel Messi’s Chinese fans upset as Inter Miami match moves location amid confusion over ticket sales

  • Major League Soccer side Inter Miami reshuffle their plans for two-game tour of China at short notice
  • Official statement says tickets set to go on sale at 4pm on Thursday, which supposed partner Damai denies

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Lionel Messi leads Argentina on to the pitch for their football friendly against Australia in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE

Lionel Messi’s army of Chinese fans expressed dismay after Inter Miami announced a late reshuffle of its tour plans, amid confusion over when tickets would actually go on sale following a contradictory statement from the official organiser.

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Providing an updated schedule for their two-match China visit on Thursday, the Major League Soccer side confirmed a change of location for their first game on November 5.

Despite an official announcement last week saying Miami and Messi would be playing at the 50,000-seat Qingdao Youth Football Stadium on November 5, the American club will instead now play at the 41,500-capacity Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou.

They will still face the same opposition, in Qingdao Hainiu, who play in the Chinese Super League (CSL).

Miami, who are co-owned by former Manchester United player David Beckham, will then head to Chengdu to face local side Chengdu Rongcheng, also of the CSL, three days later at the 60,000-seat Chengdu Phoenix Mountain Sports Park as originally advertised.

Lionel Messi’s new club are heading to China next month. Photo: AFP
Lionel Messi’s new club are heading to China next month. Photo: AFP

But supporters on social media were less than impressed by the short-notice switch.

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