Lionel Messi Opts Not to Take Penalty in Shootout As Inter Miami Lose to Vissel Kobe in Japan

Lionel Messi made a 30-minute cameo as Inter Miami held Vissel Kobe to a 0-0 draw in Tokyo on Wednesday before the Japanese side won via a penalty shootout.

Messi did not take a spot-kick in the shootout, much to the disappointment of the majority of the 28,614 fans in attendance at the Japan National Stadium.

The 36-year-old had missed Miami's 4-1 win over a Hong Kong Premier League XI three days earlier due to a hamstring injury.

His absence from that game upset local fans as well as the Hong Kong government.

But Messi was passed fit to take part on Wednesday and entered the action on the hour-mark when he replaced teenager David Ruiz.

Miami had been outplayed up until this point and had failed to record a single shot on target against the team that won last season's J1 League.

But Messi almost fired Miami ahead in the 79th minute when he forced a strong save out of keeper Shota Arai and then a goal-line clearance from Ryo Hatsuse.

Lionel Messi pictured (no.10) in action for Inter Miami during Wednesday's 0-0 draw against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo

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Luis Suarez - after missing last week's game in Hong Kong with a knee problem- played 75 minutes in Tokyo.

But fellow ex-Barcelona star Sergio Busquets suffered an injury to his left ankle in the first half and was subbed off after just 25 minutes.

There appeared to be a moment of confusion at full-time before it was confirmed that a penalty shootout would follow. 

Leonardo Campana, Julian Gressel and Jordi Alba all found the net for Miami from 12 yards but Robert Taylor missed... twice.

Taylor's first spot-kick was saved by Arai but it had to be retaken after the keeper strayed off his line. Taylor then missed the target with his second attempt.

Messi and Alba were seen laughing after Taylor's double failure.

Hotaru Yamaguchi and Koya Yuruki both failed to convert their penalties for Vissel, which presented Noah Allen with the chance to win the shootout for Miami.

Allen was widely jeered as he stepped up, with fans seemingly unhappy that Messi was not taking the pivotal kick.

Arai saved Allen's effort and also later denied Brazilian midfielder Gregore as Vissel eventually prevailed 4-3.

Next up for Miami is one final pre-season friendly - against Newell's Old Boys in Florida next Friday.

The 2024 Major League Soccer season will then begin on February 21 when Messi and Co are scheduled to take on Real Salt Lake at DRV PNK Stadium.