Argentinian football legend Lionel Messi made a brief appearance for Inter Miami during their exhibition match in Tokyo, leaving fans wanting more. After disappointing supporters in Hong Kong by remaining on the bench due to a groin injury, Messi took to the field for the final half-hour in Tokyo's National Stadium.
Despite his limited playing time, Messi energized his teammates and nearly scored the winning goal in the 80th minute. Unfortunately, his two point-blank shots were expertly blocked by the Vissel Kobe defense, resulting in a goalless draw at the end of regular time. The match was then decided by a penalty shootout, which saw Vissel emerge victorious with a 4-3 scoreline.
However, Messi did not take a penalty during the shootout, much to the dismay of the crowd of 28,614 spectators in attendance. Although some jeers were directed at him, the level of dissatisfaction was far less compared to the backlash he faced in Hong Kong, where fans demanded refunds after Messi failed to make an appearance.
Addressing the public relations disaster, Messi expressed his contrition during a rare press conference in Tokyo the day before the match. He admitted uncertainty about his fitness and kept fans guessing until he began warming up in the second half. The sight of Messi preparing to step onto the pitch elicited loud cheers from the crowd.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino shed some light on the situation, stating that Messi felt good after Tuesday's practice and they had agreed he would play for 30 minutes. Martino expressed satisfaction with Messi's performance, highlighting his comfort on the field.
The match against Vissel Kobe was the final stop on Inter Miami's global promotional tour, which took the team from El Salvador to Dallas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and eventually Tokyo. Despite their star-studded lineup, featuring former Barcelona players such as Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami struggled throughout the tour, winning only one of their six games.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami's preseason will conclude on February 16th in Florida with a match against Newell's Old Boys, Messi's childhood club from Rosario, Argentina. Many speculate that Messi may end his career by returning to play for Newell's Old Boys. The team's journey around the world has no doubt provided valuable exposure for Inter Miami and their brand, even if their results on the field were not as successful as they had hoped.
Before the match, another former Barcelona star, Andres Iniesta, who spent several seasons playing in Japan with Vissel Kobe, addressed the crowd briefly. His presence added an additional layer of excitement to the event, as fans got to witness two football icons in the same stadium.
As the tour comes to an end, Inter Miami and their players will now focus on their preparations for the upcoming season. The experiences gained and challenges faced during this promotional journey will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors, both on and off the field.
