Lionel Messi appears as substitute in Inter Miami shootout loss\u060c<\/p>\n
After leaving fans disappointed in Hong Kong, Lionel Messi made a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo on Wednesday during Inter Miami's final exhibition match in Asia – although he still left some supporters wanting more.<\/p>\n
Messi came off the bench for the final half hour, energized his teammates and had probably the best chance of the match in the 80th minute with two point-blank shots that were both saved by the Vissel Kobe defense.<\/p>\n
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)<\/strong><\/p>\n After a 0\u20130 draw in regulation time, the match went to penalties and Vissel won the penalty shootout 4\u20133. Messi, however, did not take a penalty, drawing boos from the crowd of 28,614 spectators at the Tokyo National Stadium, which seats 68,000.<\/p>\n But it wasn't close to the level of boos that erupted in Hong Kong after Messi remained on the bench for the entire match with a groin injury. Some fans have requested refunds.<\/p>\n The Argentine star appeared contrite at a rare news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday as he addressed the public relations disaster. He had said he wasn't sure he was fit enough to play in Tokyo, and kept fans guessing until he started warming up in the second half, drawing loud cheers from the crowd. crowd.<\/p>\n “After training on Tuesday evening, [Messi] \u201cWe are very satisfied now, after the match ended, because Messi looked very comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n He did not explain why Messi did not take a penalty.<\/p>\n Messi told reporters on Tuesday that he felt “very good compared to a few days ago”, while adding that he was not sure if he was fit enough to play and would evaluate based on of the training.<\/p>\n