logo
INTER MIAMI
Lionel Messi (centro) del Inter Miami reacciona durante la definición por penales contra Vissel Kobe en un partido amistoso, el miércoles 7 de febrero de 2024, en Tokio. (AP Foto/Eugene Hoshiko)

Messi plays and has chances but Vissel Kobe beats Inter Miami 4-3 on penalties in a friendly

After leaving fans disappointed in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi put in a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo in Inter Miami’s latest exhibition match in Asia

By STEPHEN WADE
Published - Feb 07, 2024, 08:37 AM ET
Last Updated - Feb 07, 2024, 08:37 AM EST

TOKYO (AP) — After leaving fans disappointed in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi put in a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo on Wednesday in Inter Miami's latest exhibition match in Asia — although he still left some supporters wanting more.

Messi came off the bench for the final half hour, energized his teammates and probably had the best chance of the match in the 80th with two point-blank shots that were both stopped by the Vissel Kobe defense.

After a 0-0 draw in regulation, the match went to penalty kicks and Vissel won the shootout 4-3. Messi did not take a penalty, however, which brought jeers from the crowd of 28,614 in Tokyo’s National Stadium, which seats 68,000.

But it wasn't close to the level of booing that broke out in Hong Kong after Messi stayed on the bench for the entire game with a groin injury. Some fans demanded refunds.

Our Offices
  • 10kInfo, Inc.
    13555 SE 36th St
    Bellevue, WA 98006
  • 10kInfo Data Solutions, Pvt Ltd.
    Claywork Create
    11 km, Arakere Bannerghatta Rd, Omkar Nagar, Arekere,
    Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
4.2 12182024