Lionel Messi returned to the Inter Miami line-up on Wednesday evening. It was a short-lived comeback and his team rebounded after he left.
Messi was subbed off in the 37th minute of Inter Miami’s match against Toronto after working on what appeared to be a leg problem for a few minutes. Miami came out big without him, winning 4-0 and moving within five points of the final playoff spot in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.
Robert Taylor, who came on for Messi, had two goals and an assist. But Messi’s status overshadowed all that.
The 36-year-old Messi had missed two matches in recent days – one for the club, the other for his country – after missing Argentina’s World Cup qualifying win in Bolivia on September 12 and Inter Miami’s 5-2 defeat to Atlanta United this years should have been served. last Saturday.
Fatigue was reported in both cases, but it now appears that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has an injury. The match was scoreless when Messi was subbed off and he left for the dressing room before half-time after spending a few minutes on the bench.
It was the second major injury blow for Inter Miami on Wednesday. Jordi Alba – another celebrated mid-season signing – was forced off in the 34th minute, shortly before Messi’s night was over. Coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino told Apple TV broadcast before leaving the field for half-time that the team will evaluate both players in the coming days, but did not provide details.
Facundo Farias and second-half substitute Benjamin Cremaschi scored the other goals.
Messi had a few chances on Wednesday and appeared to stop running somewhat abruptly after carrying the ball deep into the Toronto box in the 33rd minute. He barely got started after that, at one point leaning forward as if to stretch the backs of his legs, and eventually taking off his captain’s armband – even attempting a long pass while holding the armband – before waiting for the game stopped so he could leave. .
He didn’t even wait to leave the field before untying his laces, dropping his socks and taking off his shin guards. He placed the captain’s armband on the arm of DeAndre Yedlin – who was Inter Miami’s captain before Messi began his stint with the team in July – and now it’s anyone’s guess when Messi will wear it again.
Wednesday’s match was the first of what will be six for Inter Miami in a span of seventeen days. The team next plays in Orlando on Sunday and then hosts Houston in the US Open Cup final on September 27. Three more MLS games will follow soon: against New York City FC on September 30, at Chicago on October 4 and host Cincinnati on October 7.
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The difficult path will be even tougher if Messi is not there. Miami entered Wednesday seven points behind DC United for the final playoff spot in the East with two games remaining. DC United picked up a point by drawing Atlanta on Wednesday, so Inter Miami’s three points for their win cut the deficit to five.
Despite their position in the standings, Inter Miami now controls their postseason fate. Win away, and a team that was bottom of the MLS before Messi arrived will be in the playoffs.
The match in Atlanta ended a 12-match unbeaten streak for Inter Miami since Messi made his debut for the team against Mexico’s Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 21. Inter Miami had finished 8-0-4 in those twelve matches, with three of the matches ending in a draw being the outcomes the team had to celebrate after advancing on penalties – two in the Leagues Cup, including the final against Nashville for the Miami. club’s first ever trophy, and another in the semi-finals of the US Open Cup.
Messi has now made 12 appearances for Miami in two months, most of them in the Leagues Cup and US Open Cup. He had 11 goals and eight assists in those appearances, and one goal with two assists in four MLS games.