A wave of excitement echoed through the stadium shortly after the commencement of the second half, as Inter Miami luminary Lionel Messi shed his gear on the bench and joined fellow substitutes in their warm-up routine.

Anticipation reached a crescendo as Messi jogged, engaged in ball drills, and performed stretches. The atmosphere was electrified with a resounding cheer when he shed his warm-ups and made his way towards the midfield. Right around the hour mark, the moment arrived as Messi made his entrance into the match.

The Tokyo encounter marked a departure from the previous Hong Kong match, and with Messi on the field, the dynamics shifted noticeably for Inter Miami. In just half an hour of preseason action, although concluding in a 0-0 draw and a penalty shootout loss, Messi showcased the transformative impact he wields on the team, underscoring how Inter Miami takes on a distinct character when the Argentine maestro is 1ly involved.

The initial hour of the match was marked by a lack of creativity from Miami, but the introduction of Messi brought a notable transformation. Suddenly, the team appeared more cohesive and threatening. In the 79th minute, Messi had a prime opportunity to break the deadlock as he penetrated the left side, but his shot was thwarted by goalkeeper Shota Arai. Although the rebound seemed promising, a defender cleared it off the goal line, representing both Messi's best chance in the game and Inter Miami's most significant scoring opportunity in the match that ultimately concluded without goals.

Following the final whistle, a moment of confusion ensued as some players, perhaps anticipating the end of the match, moved towards jersey exchanges and sought refuge from the chilly Tokyo temperatures, which had dropped to the low 40s Fahrenheit during the night. However, to their surprise, the game was not concluded, and penalty kicks were about to determine the outcome.

Despite the disappointment of Lionel Messi not participating in the penalty shootout, to the chagrin of the Tokyo fans, Vissel Kobe secured a 4-3 victory. Nevertheless, Inter Miami delivered a generally positive performance, marking the conclusion of an undoubtedly taxing international tour. The paramount takeaway was Messi successfully completing his game time without encountering any issues, especially considering he had been held out of the preceding match in Hong Kong as a precautionary measure due to injury concerns.

“He was very happy now at the end of the game because he felt quite comfortable,” Martino said of Messi’s 30 minutes in Tokyo.

Inter's optimistic outlook revolves around having Lionel Messi grace the field consistently during the regular season, making the preservation of Messi's health a paramount goal of the preseason tour. Fortunately, the team succeeded in bringing Messi back to Miami unharmed, albeit not without a moment of concern. Inflammation in his adductor prompted a restricted role, limiting Messi to a late appearance in the second game in Saudi Arabia and, disappointingly for the 38,000-plus spectators in attendance, ruling him out of the match in Hong Kong, causing both dismay and frustration.

His global absence making headlines, the primary focus for both the team and Messi remains on being fully prepared for the commencement of the MLS season on February 21. The palpable sense of relief was evident as Messi showcased his strength and form against Vissel Kobe.

Inter Miami encountered an unfortunate incident during their match in Tokyo when Sergio Busquets had to make an early exit in the 25th minute due to an injury sustained in a collision. Although Busquets walked off the field unassisted, the subsequent team update revealed a sprained ankle. Despite the initial concern, there is an optimistic outlook within the team that the injury may not be as severe as initially feared. Upon the team's return to Miami, a thorough assessment of Busquets' condition is planned.

Although the recent international tour for Inter Miami CF may have been marked by certain lowlights overshadowing the highlights, it's essential to recognize the strategic commercial motivations woven into the schedule that led the team across the globe. Each destination served as a significant commercial opportunity for the club, offering both tangible benefits such as appearance fees and intangible gains like increased brand exposure. This approach aligns with a precedent set by other MLS teams, with the LA Galaxy, for instance, undertaking a similar Asian tour during David Beckham's tenure.

In Tokyo, the atmosphere mirrored the scenes witnessed in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, with spectators adorning themselves in the iconic pink and black jerseys of Inter Miami. The crowd displayed a vibrant mix of not only Inter Miami's colors but also Argentina jerseys and a notable amount of Barcelona merchandise. Notably, on Thursday, a multitude of fans entered the stadium carrying Fanatics bags, hinting at freshly acquired jerseys awaiting unveiling, adding to the anticipation surrounding the event.

The balance between reaping the commercial advantages and prioritizing the athletic dimensions of the preseason posed logistical challenges for Inter Miami during this extensive tour. Over the past few weeks, the team covered a substantial distance, accumulating more than 25,000 miles. The latter part of the tour intensified with four games spread across three different time zones in a span of merely 10 days. The journey commenced on January 29 in Saudi Arabia and culminated in Tokyo on February 7, presenting a demanding schedule with geographical and time constraints.

Acknowledging the demanding nature of the preseason schedule, Lionel Messi, in an unusual press conference held on Tuesday in Tokyo, expressed the taxing nature of the team's preparations. When questioned about his experience in Japan, Messi concluded his response with a contemplative look, hinting at the challenges that awaited the team upon their return to Miami.

“Also tired, a little, from this whole tour we’ve been on and looking forward to playing the last game before returning home,” Messi said.

Post the match, the team promptly jetted back home and is slated for a well-deserved three-day hiatus, offering a chance to readjust their internal clocks to their home time zone and recharge following the exhaustive tour. Following this brief respite, they are geared up for one last preseason clash on February 15 against Newell’s Old Boys, the childhood club of Lionel Messi, and a squad revered for Tata Martino's legendary ties. This poignant fixture serves as a fitting prelude to their season opener on February 21 against Real Salt Lake.

In the next three days, Inter Miami seeks their final reprieve before entering the demanding early months of 2024, featuring seven matches within a tight 26-day schedule, including CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures and the kickoff of the MLS season. The true measure of their preseason effectiveness will be determined in how well they navigate this strenuous early phase, making the positives from the Tokyo performance crucial as they embark on their concluding long-haul flight home.

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