Lionel Messi suffered a recurrence of “an old injury” against Toronto FC on Wednesday night, dealing a huge blow to Inter Miami.
Messi has put together an impressive run of form since joining the MLS club, contributing 11 goals and five assists in just 11 outings. Despite their problems in the MLS, Inter Miami prevailed in the League Cup with Messi on the team and are currently in the final of the US Open Cup.
However, after being forced off during the first half against Toronto, the 36-year-old now appears to be a key concern for next week’s showdown against Houston Dynamo.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain great was only making his third league appearance before he exited the game in the 37th minute.
Messi’s withdrawal came just two minutes after Jordi Alba was substituted, also with a fitness concern.
Inter Miami went on to post a 4-0 triumph over the Eastern Conference’s bottom-placed team.
Lionel Messi had to leave the pitch injured in the first half during Inter Miami’s game 🆚 Toronto 🤕❌ pic.twitter.com/0D7bN2GfnD
— 433 (@433) September 21, 2023
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After the game, head coach Gerardo Martino was naturally quizzed on the issue, ruling Messi out of the next MLS game at the weekend and indicating that he faces a race against time to recover for the clash with Houston.
Speaking to reporters, as quoted by BBC Sport, Martino said: “There is no chance they will be there on Sunday.
“I know we have a final to play [on Wednesday] but they won’t go near the pitch if they can’t play.”
Messi had missed Argentina’s second fixture of the international break and the 5-2 defeat to Atlanta United last weekend before being brought back into the team.
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Martino added: “The scans [Messi] had with the national team, they didn’t show any injury. We still saved him to be safe.
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