Inter Miami and Lionel Messi’s trip hits a Chinese wall

November 2 – Inter Miami’s postseason parade of China with superstar Lionel Messi has been cancelled just four days before the team were due to play their first game.

With the bulk of the MLS clubs in the early stages of play-offs, Inter Miami had chosen to use the time available from their non-qualification for the play-offs, to make a promotional trip to Asia, organised by Chinese tour promoter NSN.

Matches were scheduled against Chinese Super League clubs Qingdao Hainiu on November 5, and then against Chengdu Rongcheng on November 8.

It became clear there were issues with the tour when it was announced the game against Qingdao would be moved to the Wuyuan River Stadium in Haikou, China. The second game was cancelled soon after.

Now NSN has pulled the whole trip.

Inter Miami blamed the cancellation on NSN and “unforeseen circumstances”, but that the club was still committed to expanding its footprint in China.

“The tour promoter, NSN, has informed Inter Miami CF of the cancellation of its China Tour due to unforeseen circumstances in China,” said a club statement.

“Inter Miami’s ambition remains to expand its global reach by playing in front of incredible fans from across the globe; the Club will continue to explore future opportunities with NSN to achieve this goal.”

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