In a highly anticipated match, Inter Miami faced off against Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The spotlight was on Lionel Messi as he made his return to the pitch after a brief absence. However, the excitement was short-lived as the Argentine superstar was subbed off in the 37th minute of the game, leaving fans and spectators in shock.
The unexpected substitution came just moments after Messi’s teammate, Jordi Alba, was also subbed off due to an apparent injury. Messi, who appeared to be experiencing discomfort, made the decision to remove his captain’s armband and handed it to Deandre Yedlin before exiting the match.
As Messi returned to the bench, his frustration was evident as he leaned back in his chair, contemplating what had just transpired. With eight minutes of stoppage time remaining in the first half, he later walked to the locker room, raising concerns among fans about the extent of his condition.
Inter Miami’s head coach, Tata Martino, addressed the situation during halftime on the Apple TV broadcast, stating, “They had to go out. We will evaluate them as the days go by.” While this provided some insight, further details about Messi’s condition were eagerly awaited.
Inter Miami managed to secure a convincing 4-0 victory over Toronto FC despite Messi’s early exit, showcasing the team’s resilience and depth.
This match marked Messi’s first appearance since September 7th when he played a pivotal role in Argentina’s victory over Ecuador in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match. His absence from the club’s recent MLS regular season match against Atlanta United had raised questions, with many speculating about the reasons behind it.
A club source clarified that the decision to rest the Argentinian World Cup winner was a proactive move due to the extensive number of games Messi has played since joining the club in July. Importantly, the choice to rest Messi was not influenced by the turf field at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dispelling any turf-related concerns.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami’s schedule includes a match against Orlando City SC on Sunday, followed by a highly anticipated encounter as they host Houston Dynamo FC in the US Open Cup final on September 27th. Messi’s condition and availability for these upcoming fixtures will undoubtedly be a focal point for fans and football enthusiasts alike.
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