Messi Makes Tokyo Appearance as Vissel Kobe Triumph over Inter Miami in Friendly Penalty Drama”

Lionel Messi made a notable appearance in Tokyo on Wednesday as Vissel Kobe clinched victory over Inter Miami on penalties in their friendly encounter. Despite his brief stint on the pitch, Messi’s performance sparked mixed reactions among fans.

Entering the game as a substitute for the final half-hour, Messi injected energy into his team and came close to breaking the deadlock in the 80th minute with two promising attempts thwarted by Vissel Kobe’s resolute defense.

Following a goalless draw in regular time, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout, with Vissel emerging triumphant with a 4-3 scoreline. However, Messi opted out of taking a penalty, drawing disapproval from sections of the 28,614-strong crowd at Tokyo’s National Stadium.

The scene in Tokyo contrasted with the discontent witnessed in Hong Kong, where Messi’s absence due to a groin injury led to fan frustration and calls for refunds. Addressing the fallout, Messi expressed remorse during a rare press conference in Tokyo the day before the match, acknowledging the public relations setback.

Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino shed light on Messi’s limited involvement, revealing that the decision to field him for 30 minutes was made following positive feedback on his condition after Tuesday’s training session. Despite the disappointment of the penalty shootout loss, Martino expressed satisfaction with Messi’s performance, emphasizing his comfort on the field.

While Vissel Kobe enjoyed the lion’s share of opportunities in a match they largely controlled, Inter Miami’s global promotional tour culminated in Tokyo, marking the conclusion of a series of fixtures spanning various continents.

With just one win from six games during the tour, Inter Miami’s preseason journey will conclude on February 16th in Florida against Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood club, fueling speculation about his future return to his roots in Rosario, Argentina.

Notably, Inter Miami boasts a roster teeming with former Barcelona luminaries, including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Before kickoff, Andres Iniesta, another iconic figure from Barcelona’s illustrious past who spent several seasons with Vissel Kobe in Japan, addressed the crowd briefly, adding an extra layer of significance to the match.

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