In a thrilling exhibition match in Tokyo, Vissel Kobe emerged victorious against Inter Miami, clinching a 4-3 win on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time. The highlight of the match was the eagerly awaited appearance of soccer icon Lionel Messi, who played for 30 minutes, injecting energy into the game but ultimately falling short of finding the net despite two close-range attempts thwarted by Vissel Kobe’s stout defense.
The Argentine superstar’s absence from the penalty shootout drew jeers from the crowd, echoing the disappointment experienced by fans in Hong Kong, where Messi remained sidelined due to a groin injury in a previous match. However, Messi addressed the public relations setback in a rare press conference in Tokyo, expressing his regret over the letdown in Hong Kong.
Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino revealed that Messi felt comfortable playing the allotted 30 minutes, contributing to the team’s performance despite the eventual loss. The match marked the conclusion of Inter Miami’s extensive global promotional tour, spanning from El Salvador to Saudi Arabia, with stops in Hong Kong and Tokyo among others.
Throughout the tour, Inter Miami struggled to secure victories, managing just one win out of six games, raising questions about the team’s readiness for the upcoming season. The preseason campaign will culminate in a final match on February 16th against Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood club from Rosario, Argentina, where speculation mounts about his potential return in the twilight of his illustrious career.
Notably, Inter Miami boasts a star-studded roster featuring former Barcelona luminaries such as Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, adding allure to the team’s profile. Additionally, the presence of Andres Iniesta, another Barcelona legend who played several seasons with Vissel Kobe in Japan, added an extra layer of intrigue to the match as he briefly addressed the crowd before kickoff.
Vissel Kobe’s dominance on the field was evident, with the team creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the match, including hitting the post twice in the first half. Their resilience ultimately paid off as they secured victory in the penalty shootout, capping off a memorable encounter for both teams and the enthusiastic crowd of 28,614 at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
As the dust settles on Inter Miami’s promotional tour, attention now turns to their final preseason fixture against Newell’s Old Boys, where Messi’s potential homecoming awaits. Despite the mixed results during the tour, anticipation is high for what lies ahead for Messi and Inter Miami as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
