Lionel Messi and Inter Miami tour to China plunges into further chaos as organisers cancel second match against Chengdu

Tour’s organisers give no clear explanation for cancelling the match between Miami and Chengdu Rongcheng, simply citing ‘various reasons’

Major League Soccer side are still scheduled to play Qingdao on November 5, despite a last-minute location change as well as ticketing issues

Reading Time:2 minutes

Lionel Messi looks on during the international friendly between Argentina and Australia at Workers Stadium on June 15, 2023 in Beijing, China. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 3:19pm, 27 Oct 2023Updated: 4:58pm, 27 Oct 2023

Chinese football fans are at a loss amid more confusion and uncertainty surrounding Lionel Messi’s trip to China with Inter Miami, just six days before the team’s supposed arrival.

Miami, who had been scheduled to play two friendlies against Chinese Super League sides Qingdao Hainiu and Chengdu Rongcheng on November 5 and 8, are now set to play only one match.

The US club were on track to play Chengdu at the 60,000-capacity Phoenix Hill Sports Park, but organisers announced an ambiguous cancellation of the match between Miami and Chengdu.

“We are sorry that the second leg of Inter Miami Football Club’s trip to China will not be held in Chengdu due to various reasons. We ask for your understanding,” the tour’s organisers said in a statement on Friday.

Inter Miami have yet to publicly address the match cancellation. Photo: TNS

The announcement came after a change in location for the first match, originally announced as taking place at Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, before being moved to the smaller Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x