NEW DELHI: After the disappointment of Lionel Messi's absence in Hong Kong, the Argentine football icon made a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo during Inter Miami's latest exhibition match in Asia. However, despite his efforts to energize his teammates and create scoring opportunities, the match ended in a 0-0 draw in regulation, leading to a penalty shootout won by Vissel Kobe.
Messi, who came off the bench for the final half-hour, had two point-blank shots in the 80th minute, both denied by the resilient Vissel Kobe defense. The 34-year-old global football sensation did not participate in the penalty shootout, eliciting jeers from some of the 28,614 spectators at Tokyo's National Stadium.
The Tokyo exhibition followed a public relations setback in Hong Kong, where Messi remained on the bench for the entire game due to a groin injury. The disappointment led to some fans demanding refunds. In response to the controversy, Messi held a rare press conference in Tokyo, expressing regret for the situation.
Speaking on Messi's appearance in Tokyo, Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino said, "After practice on Tuesday in the evening, he (Messi) said he felt good, and we agreed he would play 30 minutes. We are very content now after the game is over because Messi looked very comfortable." Martino did not provide an explanation for Messi not taking a penalty.
Despite the mixed results of Inter Miami's global promotional tour, which included stops in El Salvador, Dallas, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong, the team won only one of the six games. The preseason tour concludes on February 16 in Florida against Newell’s Old Boys, Messi's boyhood club.
Inter Miami boasts a roster of former Barcelona players, including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Ahead of the Tokyo match, Andres Iniesta, another Barcelona legend who played several seasons in Japan with Vissel Kobe, addressed the crowd briefly.
The global tour provided football fans worldwide with the opportunity to witness the star-studded Inter Miami lineup, but the team now faces the challenge of refining their performance as they head into the upcoming season.
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