Midway through Inter Miami’s convincing 4-0 triumph over Toronto FC, Tata Martino, team manager, addressed the topic of Lionel Messi’s early substitution during the match.
A notable development occurred when both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were withdrawn from the field in the initial half of the game, citing discomfort. Martino offered an update during halftime, stating, “Messi and Jordi had to come out. It was two unexpected substitutions. We will evaluate them in these days“.
Messi’s return to action was eagerly anticipated, as he had recently concluded a two-week rest period due to muscle fatigue. However, it appears that his reintegration may have been rushed, potentially jeopardizing his fitness for the upcoming US Open final against Houston Dynamo FC on September 27.
Tata Martino: “Messi and Jordi had to come out. It was two unexpected substitutions. We will evaluate them in these days.” pic.twitter.com/YmNdWd0DLF
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) September 21, 2023
In the lead-up to this crucial game, Tata Martino had conveyed his intent to gauge Messi’s fitness during training, with the plan to include him in the Toronto match if Messi deemed himself prepared. Nonetheless, this strategy appears to have misfired, prompting a comprehensive evaluation of the injury’s severity by the Miami club’s medical staff.
8 – Lionel Messi was substituted off before halftime for just the eighth time in 937 career starts in his senior career and the first since October 2018. Worry. pic.twitter.com/xVdR7WSU7e
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) September 21, 2023
It’s important to underscore the rarity of Messi’s first-half substitution due to injury, which occurred only eight times in his illustrious career, which spans 937 senior starts. Remarkably, this incident marks the first such occurrence since October 2018.
With the US Open final on the horizon, Inter Miami’s fans are undoubtedly hoping for a swift recovery for both Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi, recognizing their pivotal roles in the quest for a second trophy this season.
Fans started leaving after Lionel Messi was substituted
Lionel Messi’s magnetic appeal to Inter Miami’s fanbase was once again evident in a revealing video during the match against Toronto. Astonishingly, as soon as Messi was substituted after just 37 minutes of play, a contingent of fans began exiting the DRV PNK Stadium.
Since Lionel Messi’s arrival, Inter Miami’s ticket prices have soared, reflecting the unprecedented demand to witness the global icon in action. However, even the hefty price tags couldn’t deter some fans from vacating their seats once the star attraction exited the field.
🚨 Fans leaving as Lionel Messi is substituted out for Inter Miami. pic.twitter.com/wiJxF519MZ
— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐🌟⭐🇦🇷 (@MundoAlbicelest) September 21, 2023
The rest of the squad stepped up to the plate, delivering an impressive four-goal performance against Toronto, who currently languish at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami faces a formidable challenge against Orlando in their upcoming MLS fixture, a mere four days away. Unfortunately, the limited time frame is unlikely to facilitate the recovery of either Messi or Jordi Alba.
Orlando, positioned in second place in the Eastern Conference, promises to be a formidable adversary. Given their precarious playoff pursuits in the MLS Cup, dropping more points is a luxury that Inter Miami cannot afford.