Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi substituted in 37th minute against Toronto FC

Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami’s starting lineup on Wednesday night against Toronto FC, but exited the match in just the 37th minute with the score 0-0. Messi all but called for his own substitution, as he had taken off his captain’s armband and was holding it in his hand as he played his final pass of the match. After a few more seconds, he stopped in the middle of the field with his hands on his knees until referee Drew Fischer stopped the game and Messi departed. Miami went on to take a 1-0 lead just before the break thanks to a Facundo Farias goal.

Messi was slow to come off the pitch but did not appear to be visibly hurt. He initially sat down on the Miami bench after coming off, then went back to the dressing room shortly before halftime. He did not appear to be receiving treatment while sitting on the bench.

Miami left back Jordi Alba also started against Toronto, and was also subbed off three minutes before Messi.

“They had to come off,” Inter Miami head coach Tata Martino told the Apple TV broadcast at halftime. “We’ll evaluate them over the next few days.”

Messi did not play last Saturday against Atlanta United, a 5-2 loss for Miami, after returning from international duty with Argentina. Martino said after the match that Messi had not traveled to Atlanta due to muscular fatigue. Fullback Jordi Alba was also rested last weekend. Their status for tonight’s match against Toronto was uncertain.

Martino said on Saturday that he wouldn’t rush Messi back to action.

“We’ll go day-to-day. Nothing changes for us in regards to how he is going to train,” Martino told reporters. “We’re in no rush. If he’s fit and more importantly if he feels good, he’ll play. But if that doesn’t happen it’ll take a few more days.”

Messi had been training normally for Miami and appeared to be fully rested for the crucial MLS regular season match. Inter Miami remains at the bottom of the Eastern Conference table. They’re currently in 13th place, seven points back from the ninth and final playoff position. Inter Miami has seven regular season matches to play.

However, Martino said on Saturday that the U.S. Open Cup final on September 27 is the team’s priority, which has led to speculation that Messi may be rested for other games before the Open Cup final.

“We have hopes that we’ll make the playoffs, but we have the game on the 27th,” Martino said. “That can make it difficult to make decisions because these are decisive games, too. The reality is that there’s a final to play.”

On Tuesday, Martino reiterated that Miami’s upcoming schedule will be a factor in how he selects his team from now until the end of the season.

“Beginning on Wednesday, we have six matches in 18 days, which is one match every three days, including the U.S. Open Cup final. Regarding Messi and Alba, both players will train in the full session today with the team and after that we’ll see if they’re available to play and to what extent.”

(Top photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)