Lionel Messi Injury Update: Inter Miami Star Forced Off After 37 Minutes in 4-0 Win Over Toronto FC
Lionel Messi made his return to action for Inter Miami on Wednesday night, but it was cut short after just 37 minutes when he was forced off with an injury. Despite his early departure, his team-mates went on to secure a 4-0 win over Toronto FC.
Messi Injury Causes Uncertainty for US Open Cup Final
The Argentine’s injury could mean he misses next week’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo. Manager Gerardo Martino said the 36-year-old is carrying an “old injury” and will definitely miss Sunday’s game against Orlando City.
Messi’s former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba also suffered an injury against Toronto and Martino said both players would definitely miss Sunday’s game against Orlando City.
Messi’s Absence from Argentina National Team
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was not used by Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni against Bolivia last week. Scaloni said Messi did not feature for his country last week because he “was not ready to play” and the World Cup winner “did not feel comfortable”.
Inter Miami Undefeated in 11 Games with Messi
Miami have not lost any of the 11 matches in which Messi has featured since he joined the MLS club in July, after leaving French champions Paris St-Germain at the end of the 2022-23 season.
The score was level at 0-0 when captain Messi left the field against Toronto, but his replacement, Robert Taylor, scored twice and Facundo Farias and Benjamin Cremaschi also found the net in a comfortable victory.
Martino: Messi Will Not Play if He Can’t
“I know we have a final to play [on Wednesday] but they won’t go near the pitch if they can’t play,” said Martino. “There is no chance they will be there on Sunday.”
Martino added that scans with the national team did not show any injury, but they are still being careful with Messi.
“We don’t think he has a muscular injury. That’s also from a conversation I just had with him,” he said. “But we have to continue being careful. We’ll look at it the next few days.”
It remains to be seen whether Messi will be fit enough to play in the US Open Cup final on Wednesday, but Inter Miami will be hoping their star man can make a return to action and help them to victory.