Lionel Messi makes injury return as substitute for Inter Miami in Tokyo
Lionel Messi (centre) has been managing a hamstring problem and came off the bench for the closing stages (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami as he played the final 30 minutes of a pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo.
Messi, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury, was an unused substitute as Inter Miami beat a Hong Kong XI 4-1 on Sunday, with local fans voicing their frustrations having turned up in numbers in expectation of seeing the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner in action.
David Beckham’s Major League Soccer side continued their pre-season build up in Japan and Argentina superstar Messi was able to resume training ahead of their latest friendly.
Lionel Messi again started on the bench as he manages a hamstring problem (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
There was another injury worry for Miami, though, as midfielder Sergio Busquets was forced off with an ankle issue midway through the first half after being caught by a late tackle from Yuya Osako.
Just before half-time, Vissel forward Osako fired over from 10 yards in front of goal after Miami had lost possession when trying to playing out from the back.
The J1 League side went close again early in the second half when Brazil forward Jean Patric headed wide.
Lionel Messi (right) looked to make an impact from the bench, but the game finished goalless (Eugene Hoshiko/AP)
Messi came on for the final 30 minutes, replacing David Ruiz, and his introduction was met with loud cheers from fans all around the National Stadium.
Ryuho Kikuchi headed wide from a free-kick into the Miami penalty area, with Messi then forcing a late save from the Vissel goalkeeper and seeing his follow-up effort cleared off the line.
After the match finished
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