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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi plays for 30 minutes in Kobe friendly</li><li>'Absurd' queues for Messi merch posted on social media</li><li>MLS pundit Twellman reacts to images</li></ul>

The real reason Lionel Messi & Inter Miami are in Japan?! Fans rush to buy limited edition tour merchandise as Taylor Twellman reacts to 'absurd' queues

Major League Soccer

Inter Miami CF

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Inter Miami's offseason may have ran into all sorts of issues but the tills kept ringing as the tour reached its conclusion in Japan. Miami's top brass will be relieved that Lionel Messi was finally able to take the field, emerging as a second-half substitute in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/why-lionel-messi-didn-t-take-penalty-bizarre-inter-miami-shoot-out-loss-to-vissel-kobe-explained/bltaf58a2bd12d619a8#cs1ab90a216751fed7" target="_blank">drab goalless draw with Vissel Kobe</a>.The tour has been beset by issues on and off the pitch but judging by the huge crowds at Inter Miami's pop-up store before the game, one particular aspect appears to be going just fine.

WHAT HAPPENED?

In response to Japan Times journalist Dan Orlowitz's post showing seemingly endless queues for merchandise, Twellman simply posted a series of explosion emojis.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥 <a href="https://t.co/trLEJ5nz53">https://t.co/trLEJ5nz53</a>— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorTwellman/status/1755219693416132786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WHAT TAYLOR TWELLMAN SAID

From injuries, to poor results, to being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-david-beckham-booed-angry-fans-hong-kong-inter-miami-refund-requests-argentine-bench/blt329fc97c133e1c35" target="_blank">booed by angry fans,</a> it's been a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/inter-miami-preseason-tour-from-hell-lionel-messi-disaster-mls-favorites/blt3b8f7769de98a3e7" target="_blank">preseason from hell for the Herons.</a> How a dysfunctional tour, that has seen the squad travel thousands of miles, weighs against the commercial revenue the club has brought in is something at the top level of the club will have to decide. The conclusion of the marathon trip - that has seen them in action in El Salvador, Texas, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan - will finally allow them some proper preparation time before competitive action returns.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Inter Miami bandwagon finally returns home to Florida with a week of training followed by a friendly with some sentimental meaning to Messi. The Herons are set to take on his boyhood club Newell's Old Boys at DRV PNK Stadium next Friday.

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI AND LIONEL MESSI?

The real reason Lionel Messi & Inter Miami are in Japan?! Fans rush to buy limited edition tour merchandise as Taylor Twellman reacts to 'absurd' queues | Goal.com

Inter Miami&apos;s offseason may have ran into all sorts of issues but the tills kept ringing as the tour reached its conclusion in Japan.

The real reason Lionel Messi &amp; Inter Miami are in Japan?! Fans rush to buy limited edition tour merchandise as Taylor Twellman reacts to &apos;absurd&apos; queues

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