TAMPA, Fla. — Rob Manfred can see the end from here. And he’s also certain when he’ll step away as Major League Baseball commissioner.

Manfred on Thursday stated explicitly that he will retire when his final five-year term expires in 2029. Manfred was first elected commissioner after multiple ballots in August 2014 and was awarded two five-year extensions by owners.

Aspring commissioners have until the end of this decade for their résumés to be polished.

‘Look, I’m 65,’ Manfred told reporters at Grapefruit League media on the first day of workouts at the New York Yankees’ complex. ‘I just started a five-year term. You can only have so much fun in one lifetime.

‘I have been open with (owners) that this is going to be my last term. I said it to them before the last election in July.’

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Manfred’s tenure has been marked by his aggression, be it in collective bargaining agreements, rules changes and perhaps most infamously his imposing of a lockout after the 2021 season, leading to a nearly four-month impasse with the MLB Players’ Association.

More recent innovation, such as installing a pitch clock, have played to better reviews.

Yet one issue Manfred feels will not be resolved by 2030 is expansion. The Oakland Athletics’ move to Las Vegas — likely not a net positive when the Manfred legacy is examined — along with uncertainty in TV distribution and revenue and franchise values have put his dreams of a 32-team league on the back burner.

‘I hope I’m here to go to Opening Day (in new stadiums) as commissioner for both Tampa Bay and Las Vegas,’ says Manfred. ‘Expansion, I don’t think realistically those clubs will be playing before I’m finished. I would like to have the process in place and operating before that.’

In a recent interview with The Athletic, Horan drew a line between how fans and observers discuss the game in the U.S. as compared to what she’s experienced in France playing for Lyon.

That included going so far as to say ‘American fans, most of them aren’t smart,’ a remark that Horan expressed contrition about in a press conference from the USWNT’s Concacaf W Gold Cup camp on Thursday.

‘First and foremost, I would like to apologize to our fans,’ said Horan before taking questions from reporters. ‘Some of my comments were poorly expressed and there was a massive lesson learned for me. When I think about our fans, I love them so much, this team loves them so much, and I can’t begin to explain how much they mean to us.

‘Every time we step out and train, every time we step out and play in games, we play for you guys. You are our inspiration, you are our motivation, and seeing you wearing our jerseys and seeing you screaming our names and chanting ‘USA,’ that’s what we play for. And I never wanted to take any of that away.’

Horan went on to reiterate one of the points she made in that interview, discussing how fan culture in the United States is improving.

‘The soccer culture in America is changing and growing so much, in such a positive way,’ stated Horan. ‘For me to be able to experience that firsthand playing for this U.S. women’s national team, but also in the NWSL for the Portland Thorns, is something just so amazing. It is my absolute honor — and I will always say that — to be able to put on this crest every single day, to be in this environment and to go out and play in front of our fans and represent this national team.

‘That is something…again, it is my greatest honor, and the last thing I ever wanted to do was to offend anyone in that manner. So again, I deeply, deeply apologize.’

Horan would later say that she was not forced to offer the apology, explaining that her motivations to do so came from within.

‘What I had inside of me, how I felt about it, and what I read, and my opinion of my own comments,’ offered Horan as reasons why she opened the press conference with her apology. ‘And also, me wanting to express how much the fans just mean to me personally and again, not wanting to take anything away from that. So I think that was just something always within me that I wanted to do.’

Lindsey Horan: I want people to discuss USWNT like top clubs

Horan’s prior comments delved into how the 29-year-old feels that there is sometimes a lack of criticism of the USWNT for poor performance, whether as a team or for individuals.

On Thursday, she expounded on that front, saying that a goal of hers is for the USWNT to be discussed for its style of play like some of the world’s most famous clubs are.

‘When I think of some of the best footballing teams in the world, and some that I watch — you guys know me, I’m just a football brain and I love watching soccer as much as I possibly can, and I love talking about it — and the way I talk about Man City, the way people talk about Man City, Arsenal, the old Barcelona, that’s what I love,’ explained the USWNT captain.

‘That’s what I want people to say about us. I want people to talk about, you know, how incredible we are on the ball, the possession, the style of play, the technical ability, the tactical changes mid-game, these type of things that I’ve viewed when I do see some of the best teams in the world.’

For the Colorado native, that desire to see the team’s quality of play drawing deeper analysis was a possible factor in her less considered remarks.

‘Maybe that was in my head, thinking of our team and what I want people to say about them on the field and how we’re playing,’ concluded Horan.

TAMPA, Fla. – Urgency is back at Steinbrenner Field, not that it ever left. Yet the win-or-else ethos that’s marked the New York Yankee franchise is viewed through a darker filter these days.

A fourth-place finish can do that for a lot of franchises, perhaps none moreso than the 27-time World Series champions who have gone title-less since 2009. An 82-80 finish that exposed both the fragility of big league depth and inadequacy of reinforcements can spur significant change, and even more soul-searching.

So, the Yankees didn’t just go shopping this winter, they went for broke – renting superstar outfielder Juan Soto for a steep cost, a move the late George Steinbrenner would have loved and one green-lit by his more corporate legacy, Hal.

When the Yankees reflect on their 19-game deficit in an American League East that was once their birthright, they didn’t just get lapped.

“It’s like sand getting kicked in your face,” noted Aaron Boone, suddenly entering his seventh year as manager.

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And when they talk about a rebound, it’s not just chasing down the Blue Jays, the Rays, the Orioles and ensuring October 2024 isn’t a monthlong vacation.

“We’re hellbent on being a champion,” says Boone. “We understand very well that last year was not anything anyone in this organization wants or demands or expects.

“I would say we have poured into that from ownership to the front office to the coaches and staff all the way to the players.”

Thursday, Yankees pitchers and catchers gathered for their opening workout of the spring, the first official act for this team but one that comes on the heels of what Boone described as a vibrant winter of unofficial workouts at the club’s minor-league facility across the street.

The spring-training pablum, though, doesn’t go too far here. A team that crumbled when reigning MVP Aaron Judge suffered a toe injury knows it well enough.

“There’s a level of determination and focus that has a little bit of an edge to it. The 82-80 is still pretty fresh in our mind,” reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole says Thursday, while noting the Yankees did well to continue their streak of non-losing seasons to 31.

“With that said, disaster was an appropriate word.”

Now, the clean-up.

‘We get injured too much’

The rebooted Yankees are assembling here quietly. Soto, the centerpiece of the seven-player deal that also sent reserve outfielder Trent Grisham to the Bronx, and former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo aren’t due until full workouts next week.

New starter Marcus Stroman, lefty specialist Caleb Ferguson and others aren’t necessarily needle-movers, not when Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are joining forces with the Dodgers in Arizona.

The Yankees never seriously dallied in the Ohtani sweepstakes but were one of several losers for Yamamoto’s services, a mild indication they’re not the destination they once were, certainly not the one their late owner and thirsty fans believe.

Still, they will lug a luxury-tax payroll expected to top $300 million into the year, committed as they are to the many culprits of last year’s nosedive, particularly on the offensive side.

Soto paired with Judge is, for now, is a nice masking agent for those anticipating that the non-Judge 30-plus crowd – projected leadoff hitter DJ LeMahieu and DH Giancarlo Stanton, most notably – may struggle yet again.

“I think we have a chance to be a great offense,” says Boone. “Again, right now, that’s all it is – a chance.

“Last year was a struggle for us offensively, for a lot of reasons. We had key guys go down, but again, that doesn’t always derail you or end the road for you. I go back to 2019 (when the Yankees reached the ALCS) where we were ravaged with injuries and everyone just kept on stepping up.

“The reinforcements were there.”

Not so much last year, when the Yankees finished 25th in the league in runs and 24th in OPS after Judge was shelved for two months, DH Anthony Rizzo’s concussion went undiagnosed and LeMahieu (.243, ..390 slugging) and Stanton (.191, .695) were both banged up and worse than league average as hitters.

Health means less reliance on Oswaldo Cabrera (.574 OPS in 115 games) and Oswald Peraza (.539 in 52). It means shortstop Anthony Volpe’s offensive growth (.209 average, .666 OPS) are more easily offset by his stellar defense.

Boone says players’ participation in offseason workouts, spurred on by Judge, has been outstanding. Cole would like to see it bear fruit once the lights go on and players may be prone to injury.

“We get injured too much as a group. We need to improve,” says Cole, who led the AL in both ERA (2.09) and innings pitched (209) in capturing his first Cy Young Award. “By and large, you need to prepare in the offseason well.”

In Boone’s ideal, 2024 Yankee world, a healthier LeMahieu or Verdugo, the oft-productive but occasionally mercurial lefty hitter, hold down the leadoff spot.

Verdugo, Soto, second baseman Gleyber Torres – all are eligible for free agency after this season. Boone, a 12-year major leaguer, knows human nature might bring them even more focus.

Yet he also believes urgency goes beyond the walk-year pressures.

“Time is precious for a major league athlete,” says Boone. “Even the guys that will make it 10, 15, 20 years in this game are going to be a non-player a lot longer.

“One of the messages to the guys is, don’t squander this time you have as an elite athlete. Take every advantage of it.”

‘It’s special to be a Yankee’

That message should not fall on deaf ears in camp. Between the projected lineup, rotation and closer, eight players will be at least 31. That includes Stroman, who will turn 33 this season and joins the Yankees on a two-year deal after opting out of his final year of a $73 million contract with the Cubs.

It’s his fourth team since 2019, and one in which the expectations are implied.

“Very confident group,” says Stroman, a 2023 All-Star before missing much of September with injury. “It’s an honor to put on these pinstripes. Everybody knows the mission. Playoffs is what we expect and hopefully we’re pitching and playing deep into October.”

Cole calls Stroman “one of the fiercest competitors we have in this game,” and notes Stroman’s sinker-heavy, deception-oriented repertoire will play well against the hard-throwing Cole and Carlos Rodon.

Of course, the greater show – and most telling element of how the Yankee season may go – figures to come on the offensive end. Cole – who gave up a massive World Series homer to Soto in 2019 – calls the 25-year-old “just a magnificent hitter, really. Best feel for the strike zone I’ve ever come across. A combination of create-a-player statistics and (superb) attributes at the plate.”

Soto’s mere presence will already send a message to a group that Boone and Cole both say is a bit saltier after 2023, bringing what Boone says is “another level of edge and focus.”

Somehow, the buy-in has again been raised.

“It’s special to be a Yankee,” says Cole. “Because that’s the MO every offseason, is to continue to get better and up the ante.”

Now, to see how long they can stick at the winners’ table.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Final-lap passes and fiery crashes, Thursday’s BlueGreen Vacation Duel at Daytona races had a little bit of everything.

And a night after Toyota seemed to lag behind Chevrolet and Ford in terms of speed, a pair of Camrys went to Victory Lane.

Tyler Reddick emerged victorious in Duel 1 and Christopher Bell passed teammate Denny Hamlin on the last lap of Duel 2 to claim the win on Thursday night. Reddick and Bell claim spots 3 and 4, respectively, in the starting lineup for Sunday’s Daytona 500.

The results of the first Duel set the odd-numbered positions with Duel 2 taking care of the even-numbered spots. That is, behind the front row of Joey Logano and Michael McDowell, both of whom locked in via Wednesday’s qualifying.

The first Duel featured plenty of last-lap drama both at the front of the field and toward the back.

Tyler Reddick executed a last-lap pass on Kyle Larson and beat Chase Elliott to the line to claim the win. And that wasn’t even the most consequential change of position on the final circuit.

Back in the pack, Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion and two-time 500 winner, found a way to get around JJ Yeley heading into Turn 3 and his 12th-place finish was just good enough to punch a ticket into Sunday’s field. Yeley settled for 16th.

‘I just have such a better appreciation for what many have gone through to race in,’ Johnson said. ‘I was so fortunate for so many years to not have to worry about getting in on speed for a variety of different reasons.

‘To go through that just now and have it come down the last 100 yards of the Duel, that wasn’t in my playbook.

‘I’ve never been through anything like this.’

Speaking of guys who went through the ringer trying to get in, Kaz Grala could relate. He and B.J. McLeod, along with David Ragan, who could fall back on Wednesday’s qualifying time if need be, found themselves near the back of the pack at the end of Duel 2 with Grala prevailing with a 12th-place finish.

‘A lot more intense than i wanted it to be coming down to the end,’ Grala said. ‘Glad we were able to come out on the right end. It was pretty tough to beat those guys tonight.’

The second race was marred by a violent, multi-car crash with 13 laps to go, leaving Ryan Blaney’s Ford Mustang in flames and also ending the night for Josh Berry, Riley Herbst, Kyle Busch and Noah Gragson. That grouped the cars together for a final sprint to the end.

Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, assumed the lead and brought the field to the white flag, but teammate Bell got a run coming out of Turn 2 and maneuvered around on the backstretch, holding the field off to the line.

‘It feels good. These plate races man, I don’t know what to think of them,’ Bell said. ‘I always say these races are 100 percent luck and I know that’s not true. I feel like we’ve been struggling to get to the end of it and I’ve been a common denominator in a lot of these wrecks. It feels good to get to the end today.’

Starting grid for Daytona 500

Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Kaz Grala, No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Core LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
David Ragan, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Ricky Stenhouse, No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing Chevrolet
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Riley Herbst, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

Daytona Duels results

Race 1

(Jimmie Johnson qualified for Daytona 500, JJ Yeley eliminated)

Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Joe Gibbs Toyota
Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Erik Jones, No. 43 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske Ford
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford
Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota
Ryan Preece, No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Martin Truex Jr., No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
JJ Yeley, No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet
Todd Gilliland, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports Chevrolet
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 JTG Daugherty Chevrolet
Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

Race 2

Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske Ford
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Harrison Burton, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford
Zane Smith, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing Ford
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Justin Haley, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota
Kaz Grala, No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
B.J. McLeod, No. 78 Live Fast Racing Chevrolet
David Ragan, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford
Michael McDowell, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford
Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske Ford
Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet
Riley Herbst, No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford
Noah Gragson, No. 10 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi raised his hands as he left the pitch, thanking fans who traveled near and far, for Inter Miami’s final match of the preseason Thursday against his childhood club from Argentina.

Messi did not score, missing a free kick and another opportunity where he charged the net between several defenders in 60 minutes of action in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw against Newell’s Old Boys.

The good news: Messi appears fully healthy. He ran hard and fast, with purpose and vigor, dribbling between defenders with his foot all the way on the gas pedal. It did not appear Messi was hampered by the hip adductor injury that caused outraged in Hong Kong earlier this month because he sat out a friendly.

Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said Messi felt fine after exiting the match, and believes Messi is “completely recovered.”

Martino said the plan was for Messi to play 45 minutes, but he ended up playing 57 minutes against Newell’s. Messi’s play nearly doubled from his last outing in Tokyo, where he played in the final 30 minutes. The hope is he can continue ramping up in the final days before the season begins next Wednesday.

When does Inter Miami’s season begin? 

Messi and Inter Miami will play the first game of the 2024 MLS season Feb. 21 at home against Real Salt Lake, and will travel to face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Feb. 25.

How did Messi fare against Newell’s?

You could tell from Messi still has a little rust to shake off before the 2024 MLS season begins for Inter Miami in six days from his two best opportunities to send fans home with a highlight play that didn’t come to fruition.

Messi missed on a free kick, just outside the left side of the net in the 37th minute. His kick just didn’t have enough bend fans are used to seeing from him on some of the best highlights of his career in the same scenario.

Messi also missed a shot after surging charge between defenders toward the net in the 31st minute, as his kick also missed wide left.

Messi typically does not miss opportunities like that often – unless he’s injured or coming off a significant layoff.

Messi left the pitch in the 60th minute, with a young fan running onto the pitch in attempt to get close to him before being met by security and escorted away.

Red and black jerseys of Newell’s Old Boys – the Argentine club where Messi first played with when he was 6 years old – joined Argentine and Inter Miami jerseys in the stands at DRV PNK Stadium.

Inter Miami’s Shanyder Borgelin scored a header in the 65th minute, while Newell’s Franco Díaz scored in the 83rd minute to tie the match.

Inter Miami finished its globetrotting preseason with one win, two ties and four defeats (one of which in a penalty shootout). Messi scored one goal among eight for Inter Miami, while the club conceded 13 goals in the preseason.

Franco Díaz scores goal Newell’s Old Boys: Inter Miami 1, Newell’s 1

Newell’s fans have reason to cheer up and down in the stands: Franco Díaz, 23, scored in the 83rd minute to tie this match at 1.

It wasn’t the best defense by Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar, and there’s nine minutes left in the match before extra time.

Shanyder Borgelin goal: Inter Miami 1, Newell’s 0

Inter Miami’s Shanyder Borgelin scored a header in the 65th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead in the match.

Borgelin rose above a Newell’s defender and connected with the ball off a corner kick just minutes after Messi came off the pitch.

Messi and Suarez come off in the 60th minute: Inter Miami 0, Newell’s 0

Lionel Messi raised his hands in the air and clapped to fans in his new home stadium. Messi came off the pitch in the 60th minute, and his night his over.

Luis Suárez and Julian Gressel also exited the match for Inter Miami.

While Inter Miami’s players have 30 minutes until the preseason ends.

Messi misses free kick in 37’: Inter Miami 0, Newell’s 0

Lionel Messi lined up for a free kick just within his range, but he still has some slight rust to shake off.

Messi missed his attempt, just outside the left side of the net.

It didn’t quite have the bend Messi’s most popular free kicks have had that entered the back of the net.

Messi misses shot in 31’: Inter Miami 0, Newell’s 0

Messi had a full head of steam and got into position. But his left foot missed just outside the left side of the net.

Fans in the stadium rose to their feet anticipating the highlight moment, but let down after Messi’s miss.

Still, Messi’s health should no longer be a question after that sequence, where he shifted between several defenders to get his shot attempt off with ease.

No foul on Luis Suárez after VAR: Inter Miami 0, Newell’s 0

Luis Suárez was demonstrative after a contest in the goal area, but video review showed there was no penalty at all.

“After review, the decision on the field is still no penalty,” the referee said as VAR decisions will be announced by officials on the pitch during the 2024 MLS season.

While the play was under video review, Messi had a lengthy conversation with the Newell’s goalie.

Messi with two passes to Gomez in 11’ and 15’: Inter Miami 0, Newell’s 0

Lionel Messi appears as close to 100 percent healthy from the hip adductor injury he experienced earlier this month in Asia.

Messi is running hard and fast, and choosing his moments to affect the match.

Messi had an opportunity for an assist in open field in front of the penalty area, but the Newell’s defense converged before Diego Gomez could make a play on the ball or the net in the 11th minute.

About four minutes later, Messi had another chance to find Gomez in the penalty box, but the defender deflected the ball away. Gomez was also offside.

Nicolás Freire nearly scores goal: Inter Miami 0, Newell’s 0

Inter Miami’s Nicolás Freire nearly scored in the second minute of the match, his first with the club since his signing was made official on Jan. 23.

The Argentine national missed a header that barely missed the right side of the net.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez in Inter Miami’s starting lineup

Lionel Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup, as expected for tonight’s match against his former team.

So, is Luis Suárez, who did experience some knee discomfort during Inter Miami’s preseason tour.

Here are the lineups for both sides:

How much will Messi play? 

Messi is expected to start in Thursday’s match and could see some extended minutes with Inter Miami’s season opener only six days away, Martino said. 

After a groin injury sidelined Messi for a match in Hong Kong earlier this month, causing outrage among fans and officials in China, he returned to action in Tokyo to play 30 minutes against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe and he appeared close to full strength. 

“If everything goes as it is going, [Messi] will be in good shape for the beginning of the season,” Martino said. 

What did Messi say about his injury? 

Messi, during a rare news conference in Tokyo Feb. 6, said he had a hip adductor injury he suffered while in Saudi Arabia for two matches Jan. 29 and 31. Although an MRI found no injury, Messi said he still experienced discomfort.

“Unfortunately, it is something that happens in football, in any game it can happen that we get injured. It happened to me and I couldn’t be in the game in Hong Kong, and it’s a shame because I always want to participate, I want to be there, and even more so when it comes to these types of games where we traveled so far and people were so excited to watch us play,” Messi said.

Lionel Messi injury timeline: What led to Messi’s hip adductor injury?

∎Jan. 29: Messi scored on a penalty kick and played to the 88th minute against Saudi powerhouse Al Hilal, where he first experienced the injury.

∎Jan. 31: Messi practiced with Inter Miami, one day before Al Nassr match, leading to the MRI evaluation.

∎Feb. 1: Messi did not start, but came on as a substitute against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. He entered in the 83rd minute and played through six minutes of extra time conservatively.

∎Feb. 3: Messi ran around Hong Kong Stadium and participated in some light workouts with Inter Miami teammates.

∎Feb. 4: Messi was listed as a substitute on Inter Miami’s roster for the Hong Kong match, but Inter Miami did not list him on their roster published on social media. He did not play.

∎Feb. 6: Messi shares he has a hip adductor injury and experienced discomfort. Messi said the injury was an ‘unlucky’ situation, and hopes to play again in Hong Kong if the opportunity arises.

∎Feb. 7: Messi entered in the 60th minute and played to the end of Inter Miami’s match against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, and appeared close to full strength.