What a farce! Why Lionel Messi didn't take penalty in bizarre Inter Miami shoot-out loss to Vissel Kobe - explained

Messi made his return from injury in Inter Miami's pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe in Japan. The Argentina international came off the bench in the second half but couldn't inspire his team to victory as the game ended goalless after 90 minutes. However, it was deemed that a winner needed to be found with the game decided by a shoot-out which went the way of the hosts.

Messi has been used sparingly on Miami's tour due to injury and only came on as subsitute on the hour mark in Japan. The Argentina instantly lit up the game with his quality, and had an effort cleared off the line in the closing stages, but opted against taking a penalty. Leonardo Campana, Julian Gressel and Jordi Alba all scored but misses by Robert Taylor, Noah Allen and Gregore saw Miami slip to another defeat.

The result means that Inter Miami have won just one of their pre-season fixtures, against a Hong Kong XI. The tour has abeen marred in controversy with Messi missing games due to injury, which has angered fans and left the Hong Kong government "extremely disappointed". All of which means it hasn't been the best preparation for a new season, where much will be expected from Inter Miami after bringing in the likes of Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets to play with Messi.

Inter Miami are back in action at the DRV-PNK Stadium on on February 15 for a friendly against Messi's boyhood team Newell's Old Boys. The team will start their MLS campaign six days later against Real Salt Lake.