The pre-season buzz surrounding Inter Miami‘s Asian tour has been electric. Fans worldwide eagerly awaited the chance to witness Lionel Messi weave his magic on their home turf. But a twist has emerged – the highly anticipated clash against Vissel Kobe has hit a snag – the match won’t be broadcast. This now adds an intriguing layer to an already dramatic pre-season tour.

From the disappointment of successive defeats in the Riyadh Season Cup to a dominant win against Hong Kong XI, all eyes were on Inter Miami’s final clash against the J-League giants. However, doubts linger over the clash’s live broadcast. Let’s unravel the mystery behind this blackout.

No Messi, No Magic: The Inter Miami vs Vissel Kobe blackout explained

The primary suspect in this broadcasting conundrum is none other than Lionel Messi. The Argentine maestro, whose mere presence cheers up the audiences, has been battling an adductor injury. While Inter Miami coach Tata Martino expressed optimism about his injury initially, a pre-match fitness test dashed those hopes. Lionel Messi sat down for the majority of the match against Hong Kong Select XI due to fitness concerns, leading to the fans causing chaos after the match.

Messi’s absence against Hong Kong raises concerns about the severity of the injury, potentially dampening viewership significantly. With their star attraction sidelined, a telecast might not generate enough revenue, leading to the blackout decision. The crucial question now arises: Could Messi’s injury be the primary reason behind the decision to refrain from the broadcast? No, Messi might not be the sole culprit for this development.

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Another possibility of scraping this broadcast lies in the dismal world of broadcasting rights. Rumors suggest that Apple TV, the official broadcaster of Inter Miami’s pre-season fixtures, couldn’t secure a deal with the Japanese broadcasters. This lack of agreement could be linked to Apple TV’s relatively high subscription costs. In the Japanese market, a high price tag might repel potential viewers, making the broadcast financially unviable.

READ MORE: Hong Kong Government Issues Statement Against Lionel Messi’s Absence After $15 Million Grant for Inter Miami Friendly

The Vissel Kobe match was completely removed during Inter Miami’s Hong Kong friendly broadcast on Apple TV. Newell’s Old Boys was referred to as the last match of Inter Miami’s preseason, contradicting with the previous scheduled information. Apple TV announced in January, that they’ll broadcast the game against Vissel Kobe, however, the sudden change in plans has now left fans stranded.

Despite the lack of live coverage, the match itself is still scheduled for Wednesday. While fans worldwide lament the blackout, excitement remains for the clash on the pitch. Whether televised or not, the encounter promises a thrilling match. The reason behind the absence of live broadcasts remains intriguing, and the mystery adds another layer of excitement to this narrative.

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