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TOKYO (AP) — After leaving fans in Hong Kong disappointed, Lionel Messi made a 30-minute appearance in Tokyo on Wednesday in Inter Miami’s final exhibition match in Asia, although he still left some fans wanting more .
Messi came off the bench for the final half hour, gave energy to his teammates and probably had the best chance of the game in the 80th minute with two close-range shots: the first saved by goalkeeper Shota Aria and the second cleared by Vissel. Kobe defense.
After a 0-0 draw in regulation time, the match went to penalty kicks and Vissel won the shootout 4-3. However, Messi did not take a penalty, prompting boos from the 28,614 spectators at Tokyo’s 68,000-capacity National Stadium.
But it was nowhere near the level of booing that erupted in Hong Kong after Messi remained on the bench for the entire match with a groin injury. Some fans demanded refunds.
The Argentine star showed regret in a rare press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday while addressing the public relations disaster. He had said that he wasn’t sure if he would be fit enough to play in Tokyo, and left fans wondering until he began to warm up in the second half, drawing loud applause from the crowd.
“After practice on Tuesday night, he (Messi) said he felt good and we agreed that he would play 30 minutes,” Inter Miami coach Gerardo Martino said. “We are very happy now that he finished the game because Messi seemed very comfortable.”
He did not say why Messi did not take a penalty.
The Hong Kong government intervened almost immediately, asking why Messi was able to play in Japan and not several days earlier in Hong Kong.
“The government hopes that the organizers and teams can give a reasonable explanation to Hong Kongers and answer their questions,” the Hong Kong Culture, Sports and Tourism office said.
The Hong Kong government’s intervention gives the primarily promotional game a political and commercial advantage given the size of the Chinese market and political rivalry in Asia with Japan.
Vissel hit the post twice in the first half and had by far the best chances in a game that he largely dominated.
The match in Tokyo concluded Inter Miami’s world promotional tour, which extended from El Salvador to Dallas, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong and ended in Tokyo.
Inter won only one of the six games. Miami’s preseason concludes on February 16 in Florida against Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s boyhood club in Rosario, Argentina. Many expect him to end his career there.
Inter Miami is packed with former Barcelona players, including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
Andrés Iniesta, another former Barcelona star, played several seasons in Japan with Vissel Kobe and spoke briefly to the crowd before the match.
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AP Football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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