Lionel Messi’s return to Inter Miami’s lineup was short-lived as he left the match against Toronto in the 37th minute after apparently dealing with a leg issue.
Miami won the match 4-0 and moved within five points of a playoff spot in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference. Miami’s Gerardo “Tata” Martino said after the match that Messi is slated to miss Sunday’s match against Orlando.
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Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami, controls the ball during the first half during a match between Toronto FC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on Sept. 20, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
“He had an old injury that had been bothering him,” Martin said, as relayed through a team official who translated remarks from Spanish to English.
Messi had missed previous matches against Atlanta United and for Argentina against Bolivia – both absences were for fatigue and no actual injury was mentioned.
Martino said Messi was taken out of Wednesday’s game “to be safe.”
“We don’t think it’s a muscular injury. That’s also from a conversation that I just had with him,” he said. “But we have to continue being careful and we’ll look at him the next few days.”
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi, right, takes the ball past Toronto FC defender Kobe Franklin during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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After the 33rd minute of the match, Messi appeared to be trying to stretch out what was bothering him. Before coming out of the match, he unlaced his cleats, lowered his sock and removed his shin guards. He took off his captain’s band and placed it onto the arm of DeAndre Yedlin.
Miami still faces an incredible challenge to get to the MLS playoffs. The squad also has the U.S. Open Cup final on Sept. 27.
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Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami, looks on during a match between Toronto FC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on Sept. 20, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The squad has six regular-season matches remaining. Win all of them, and it is likely they would be locked into the postseason.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.