# Lionel Messi Forced Off After 37 Minutes in Inter Miami’s Win Over Toronto FC
Lionel Messi made his return to action for Inter Miami on Wednesday night, but it was a short-lived one as he was forced off after 37 minutes. Despite this, his team-mates managed to seal a 4-0 win over Toronto FC.
The Argentine, absent for Miami’s 5-2 defeat by Atlanta on Saturday due to fatigue, may now miss next week’s US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo. Manager Gerardo Martino said the 36-year-old is carrying an “old injury”.
## Messi’s Absence From Argentina’s Match Last Week
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was not used by Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni against Bolivia last week. 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.
## Miami’s Record 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 Match Against Toronto FC
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.
## Messi’s Injury Status
“The scans [Messi] had with the national team, they didn’t show any injury. We still saved him to be safe,” Martino said. “I know we have a final to play [on Wednesday] but they won’t go near the pitch if they can’t play.”
Martino added that he does not think Messi has a muscular injury, based on a conversation he just had with him. However, he said they will have to continue being careful and look at it the next few days.
Argentina manager 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”.