In an exciting announcement, Inter Miami revealed that they will be heading to China for a two-game postseason tour. This decision comes just after the conclusion of their 2023 MLS campaign. The team is set to face off against Chinese Super League sides Qingdao Hainiu FC and Chengdu Rongcheng on November 5th and 8th, respectively.
This upcoming tour has generated significant anticipation within the club. Inter Miami’s chief business officer, Xavier Asensi, expressed his excitement, emphasizing the team’s commitment to expanding their global reach. Asensi commented, “This is a special opportunity to share the passion as we reach new audiences and put ourselves on display in new places, and we’re looking forward to beginning this adventure.”
Despite recently being eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami still has two games against Charlotte FC in the MLS regular season. However, all eyes are on Lionel Messi, who has only appeared in two of the team’s last seven MLS games due to a hamstring injury. Messi did manage to play 35 minutes off the bench in the loss against Cincinnati and also contributed 37 minutes for Argentina in their 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Paraguay on Friday.
The Argentine legend, who has been an incredible asset to Miami with 11 goals in his first season, is sure to attract fans during the upcoming tour of China. The Chinese Super League has managed to secure several high-profile Brazilian signings in recent years. Though some of those players have moved on, the league’s growing reputation adds allure to the upcoming matches.
Inter Miami’s sporting director and chief soccer officer, Chris Henderson, sees this tour as an excellent opportunity to build on their accomplishments in the 2023 season. He stated, “We will take this as an opportunity to begin our preparations for 2024, as we look to build on last season and find more success moving forward.”
The team, which already secured the Leagues Cup in August and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup, has set its sights on further achievements. The first game of the tour will take place at the 50,000-seat stadium of Qingdao Hainiu, which opened its doors in April. This Super League team, currently coached by Spaniard Antonio Carreño, returned to the league in 2023 after consecutive promotions and currently sits in 13th place out of 16 teams, with three games remaining.
Chengdu Rongcheng, on the other hand, is a relatively young club that earned promotion in three of its four seasons and joined the Chinese top flight in 2022, finishing fifth. The team currently holds the sixth position in the league, and their match against Inter Miami promises to be a thrilling encounter.
As Inter Miami takes their talents to China for a two-game postseason tour, there is a sense of excitement and ambition within the club. This opportunity allows the team to expand their global reach and connect with fans across the globe. With Lionel Messi leading the charge, Inter Miami aims to entertain and inspire new audiences as they continue their quest for success. The tour will serve as a stepping stone for the team’s preparations for the upcoming 2024 season, offering a chance to build upon their triumphs from the 2023 campaign. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the matchups against Chinese Super League sides Qingdao Hainiu FC and Chengdu Rongcheng, anticipating two exhilarating clashes that will captivate fans worldwide.
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