Gregore has once again played the full 90 minutes for Inter Miami wearing the captain’s armband during a friendly against Vissel Kobe in Japan. The Brazilian offered Lionel Messi the band as he came on in the second half, but the Argentine star let the midfielder keep it for the remainder of the match.
The former Bahia player had already been chosen by Gerardo Martino to be the captain during Messi’s absence in the team’s previous friendlies against Al-Nassr and the Hong Kong XI. This time, the MLS side ended up losing 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regular time, with Gregore missing the final kick of the shootout.
It is bedlam in Japan! LEO MESSI IS ON! HE HAS DONE IT! THE CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND IS NOW EL SHITHOUSEO MASSIVO! pic.twitter.com/pwekGqzpcS
— Messi’s Secret Smile 🇯🇵 (@hurtingbombz) February 7, 2024
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Inter Miami struggle in global preseason tour
While Gregore may be proud to have the coach and Messi’s trust to wear the armband, it’s safe to say he’s not happy with the way this preseason tour has gone for his team. Inter Miami have won only one out of six friendlies, raising many question marks ahead of the 2024 season.
ضاعت pic.twitter.com/13T8UHIr9V
— Messi Xtra (@M30Xtra) February 7, 2024
With millions of fans craving to see Messi play, the club decided to make a global preseason tour. But it may have not been the best idea to make all its veteran stars travel the world in just a couple of weeks. Following a scoreless tie against El Salvador, the Herons returned to the US for a friendly against FC Dallas, who won the game 1-0.
Seven days later, Inter Miami lost to Al-Hilal 4-3 in Saudi Arabia, where they also suffered an embarrassing 6-0 loss to Al-Nassr. That stay in Riyadh was followed by a trip to Hong Kong before their visit to Japan.
Now, Inter Miami will finally return to South Florida for one last friendly against Messi’s boyhood club Newell’s Old Boys on February 15. Six days later, Gregore and company will play against Real Salt Lake in the inaugural game of the 2024 MLS season.
