Credit: Twitter
After missing three matches with Inter Miami and Argentina, the 36-year-old Lionel Messi started his MLS side's league fixture against Toronto FC on Wednesday night at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. Despite Inter Miami winning the game 4-0 against Toronto, the match was marred by the Argentine's first-half substitution due to apparent injury.
Apart from Messi, Miami defender Jordi Alba also left the pitch due to an injury, however, the injuries of both the star players are reportedly not serious. As Messi was subbed off in the first half, many Inter Miami fans appeared to leave the stadium as videos have gone viral on social media.
Watch Messi coming off the pitch:
Inter Miami beat Toronto 4-0 as midfielder Robert Taylor scored twice in the 54th and 87th minutes while youngster Facundo FarÃas broke the deadlock in the injury time of the first half. 18-year-old Benjamin Cremaschi also entered the scoresheet with a 73rd-minute goal against Toronto. After the first half, Messi was spotted walking in the tunnel seemingly leaving the ground to undergo tests.
Watch the video here:
As the Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi left the pitch, many fans at the DRV PNK Stadium were spotted leaving the stadium as if they were only present to witness Messi's magic. Messi came off the pitch in the 39th minute and videos have gone viral on social media where Inter Miami fans appeared to leave the stadium after Messi's injury.
Watch the video here:
In a post-game interview, Inter Miami coach Tata Martino confirmed that former Barcelona stars will not feature in Miami's clash against Orlando City on Sunday. Martino said, "There is no chance for them (Messi and Alba) to play the Orlando match, but I do not think there is anything serious or muscle injuries. I think it is just fatigue."
Reportedly, this was just the eighth time in Lionel Messi's 937 career starts in his senior career when he was substituted in the first half and the first since October 2018.