Lionel Messi given huge cheers by Vissel Kobe crowd every time he touches ball in 30-minute cameo as Inter Miami star gets rapturous reception in Japan just days after angry Hong Kong boos

Messi was once again been left out of the starting XI for Inter Miami on their pre-season tour before finally entering the pitch on the hour mark. The MLS side are in East Asia to take on Vissel Kobe, with Messi initially named on the bench for the game at Japan National Stadium. The World Cup winner has been forced onto the sidelines ahead of the start of the new MLS campaign due to injury, but that didn't stop supporters in the Japan National Stadium giving him a rousing reception on multiple occasions when they saw him appear on the big screen. Indeed, he was also cheered whenever he got up to undergo a warm-up before he finally came on in the 60th minute, with his every touch being loudly applauded.

Inter Miami previously faced a fan backlash from angry supporters due to Messi's lack of game time on their tour. The superstar did not play last time out against a Hong Kong XI, which led to Messi and owner David Beckham being booed and requests made for refunds. Fans have also claimed they have felt "scammed" after buying tickets but not being able to see Messi play. It was a different story in Japan, however, with those inside the stadium loudly cheering the former Barcelona star, even before he was introduced as a second-half substitute.

Messi has spoken about his regret at missing the Hong Kong XI fixture due to injury and did say he wanted to play against Vissel Kobe. He told reporters: "The truth is that I feel very good compared to a few days ago. And depending on how that (training) goes. And if I’m honest, I still don’t know if I will be able to or not. But I feel much better and I really want to be able to do it.”

Inter Miami will return to the United States after the match against Vissel Kobe to prepare for a final friendly before the new MLS campaign gets underway. The team's next game is against Messi's boyhood club Newell's Old Boys in a fixture the World Cup winner will be eager to play in.