Both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will miss Inter Miami’s game against Orlando on Sunday after being substituted in Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over Toronto.
And coach Tata Martino admitted Messi is now unsure whether he will play in the US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo next week.
“They trained normally and we felt they were ready to play. “I don’t think it’s anything new or worse than what they had. “It’s fatigue,” Martino said.
“I don’t think it’s a muscle injury.” They have no chance of playing the game against Orlando, but I don’t think it’s anything serious or muscle injury. I think it’s just fatigue.”
The coach added that Messi will be examined day by day in consultation with the medical team until next Wednesday’s final. The win over Toronto was the first of six games in 18 days for Miami.
Tata Martino admitted that Lionel Messi is now unsure whether he will play in the US Open Cup final next week
Both Messi and Jordi Alba (left) had to be substituted in Wednesday night’s 4-0 win over Toronto
Alba had ice on his right thigh muscle after being substituted ten minutes before the end of the first half at the DRV-PNK Stadium.
Messi cut a similarly frustrated figure a few minutes later as he was handed the armband and was substituted just 37 minutes after his MLS return.
“Messi and Jordi had to go out.” There were two unexpected substitutions. “We will evaluate them in these days,” Martino said during half-time.
It was reportedly only the eighth time in 937 career starts that Messi was substituted before half-time – and the first since October 2018.
The 36-year-old was back with the team after missing the team’s 5-2 loss in Atlanta on Saturday due to what coach Martino called “muscle fatigue.”
That defeat further dampened Miami’s hopes of reaching the playoffs, but Messi took full part in training on Tuesday and returned straight to the starting lineup.
“I don’t think it’s anything new or worse than what they had.” “It’s fatigue,” Martino said.
Messi had not played for Miami since Sept. 4 after going on international duty and missing both the team’s loss to Atlanta and its win over Kansas City.
Shortly after Wednesday’s double, Facundo Farias gave Miami the lead with a volley and Martino’s side eventually won 4-0.
Robert Taylor – who replaced Messi – scored two brilliant goals in the second half, with Benjamin Cremaschi also on the scoresheet.
Shortly before half-time, Messi was seen walking through the tunnel at the DRV-PNK stadium. He walked without assistance, but seemed to change something just before leaving the field. His body language gave it away: his night was over.