Inter Miami loses to Vissel Kobe 4-3 in PKs after 0-0 tie

Lionel Messi plays in Japan friendly as Vissel Kobe beats Inter Miami on penalties.

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates head home from their grueling world tour after losing to Japanese league champion Vissel Kobe 4-3 in penalties following a 0-0 tie in Tokyo Wednesday. After sitting out the previous game in Hong Kong and playing just seven minutes in the second game in Saudi Arabia due to a hip injury, Messi played 30 minutes on Wednesday and seemed to be moving well. The team made a few dangerous approaches after he entered the game but could not finish.

“After training Tuesday Leo said he felt good, and we made the decision he would play 30 minutes,” said Inter Miami coach Tata Martino. “He was very happy after the match because he felt comfortable out there.”

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.

Inter won only one of the six games. The Miami preseason wraps up on Feb. 16 in Florida against Newell's Old Boys, Messi's boyhood club from Rosario, Argentina. Many expect him to finish his career there.

Inter Miami is loaded with former Barcelona players including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets.