FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi returned to the pitch after practically two weeks on Wednesday evening.
However he didn’t even make it to halftime.
Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, began and performed solely 37 minutes of Wednesday’s 4-0 victory towards Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
Messi – who missed two Inter Miami video games and performed in simply certainly one of two World Cup qualifying matches for Argentina this month – has been coping with both a proper leg harm or fatigue after a grueling stretch since late July.
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino stated Messi was evaluated for an harm whereas with the Argentina nationwide workforce, however their scans didn’t present an harm.
Nonetheless, Messi was seen with some discomfort and stretching his proper leg round midfield, shortly after charging the online and pulling out large with out a shot earlier than exiting the match.
“He had an outdated harm that had been bothering him. The scans he had with the nationwide workforce, they didn’t present any harm. We nonetheless saved him to be protected,” Martino stated of Messi after the match Wednesday.
“We don’t suppose he has a muscular harm. That’s additionally from a dialog I simply had with him. However we now have to proceed being cautious. And we’ll take a look at it the subsequent few days.”
Messi and Jordi Alba, who left the match shortly earlier than Messi did, are each thought-about daily.
When is Inter Miami’s subsequent match?
Inter Miami’s subsequent match is Sunday towards Orlando Metropolis SC.
However Inter Miami does have its focus set on the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final against the Houston Dynamo FC on Sept. 27.
Beginning with its Toronto match, Inter Miami has entered a stretch of six matches in 17 days.
Martino: Messi, Alba will not play vs. Orlando City
Inter Miami coach Martino said Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will not play on the road Sunday against Orlando City. They will be evaluated with hopes to play in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final Wednesday against Houston Dynamo FC.“There is no chance for them to play the Orlando match, but I do not think there is anything serious or muscle injuries,” Martino said after Wednesday night’s game. “I think it is just fatigue.”
Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC highlights
Lionel Messi might have missed most of this game, but Inter Miami still steam rolled Toronto FC at DRV PNK Stadium.
After Facundo Farías scored late in the first half, Robert Taylor registered a brace in the second half and USMNT prospect Benjamin Cremaschi tallied his second goal of the season.
What led to Leo Messi’s exit during Inter Miami match?
In the 34th minute, Messi was bent over and tending to his right calf area.
Two minutes later, Messi was heading to the sidelines.
Messi was replaced in the lineup by Robert Taylor, and gave the captain’s armband to Inter Miami’s previous captain DeAndre Yedlin upon leaving the pitch.
It officially marked the third time in 12 Inter Miami matches Messi was held scoreless. Messi was held without an assist, too.
How did Messi perform during the match?
Messi was aggressive, particularly in the first 30 minutes of the game.
Messi’s most explosive opportunity was a right strike missed on a volleyed pass from Facundo Farías, but the shot was too high. A goal would have made the Inter Miami faithful go crazy because of Messi’s charge toward the right side of the net to kick the volley from Farias.
Earlier, Messi found some space and fired a left boot toward the net, but his shot was caught by Toronto FC goalie in the 18th minute.
In another sequence, Messi was caught in a crowd of Toronto players, and his shot hit off one of them to end the threat.
Messi, Alba both exit for Inter Miami before halftime
Before the match, Martino said both Messi and Jordi Alba, the fellow FC Barcelona standout, would have their playing time monitored during the Toronto match.
Alba was removed from the match about a minute before Messi was, and visibly upset on the Inter Miami bench as soon as he sat down.
Messi wasn’t as demonstrative, but still affected by either his calf, fatigue, or the coach’s decision.
How long was Messi’s layoff?
Messi had not played since Sept. 7, when he scored a free kick to lead Argentina to a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires.
The match marked his 12th in 48 days, a stretch highlighted by Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup title.
Messi sat out Inter Miami’s 5-2 loss on Saturday to Atlanta United and Argentina’s 3-0 win over Bolivia on Sept. 12.
Robert Taylor goal: Inter Miami 4, Toronto 0
Robert Taylor took a pass from Facundo Farias, and scored his second goal of the game to offer Inter Miami a 4-0 lead towards Toronto.
Taylor secured the brace, with a proper strike that simply rose above the pinnacle of Toronto goalie Tomás Romero within the 86th minute.
Benjamin Cremaschi aim: Inter Miami 3, Toronto 0
With a head of steam towards the online, Robert Taylor discovered a streaking Benjamin Cremaschi for a wide-open shot towards the again of the online within the 74th minute to extend Inter Miami’s result in 3-0.
Cremaschi despatched the ball exterior to Taylor, and stored operating towards the field till Taylor delivered the help.
Robert Taylor aim: Inter Miami 2, Toronto 0
Robert Taylor, one Inter Miami participant who has benefitted most from taking part in with Messi, scored early in the second half to give his side a 2-0 lead.
Taylor dribbled around the box, and his right foot strike was sent past Toronto FC goalie Tomás Romero.
Facundo Farias goal: Inter Miami 1, Toronto 0
Just before halftime, after Messi and several others left tonight’s match, a goal was finally scored.
Inter Miami’s Facundo Farias fired a right strike into the back of the next during extra time before halftime to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Messi leaves the match after 36 minutes: Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0
Lionel Messi’s night is over before halftime.
Messi, Inter Miami’s star making his return after two missed matches, started and will leave inter Miami’s match against Toronto FC after just 36 minutes on Wednesday night.
Messi was dealing with either fatigue or a right calf injury this month.
During a brief moment, Messi stretched his right leg out during the 34th minute of the match.
Messi was bent over and just tending to his leg around the midfield area.
Messi seemed to be favoring his right leg, around the calf area, shortly after he charged to the box that ended when Messi was defended too wide.
Two minutes later, Messi was heading to the sidelines.
Messi was replaced in the lineup by Robert Taylor, and gave the captain’s armband to Inter Miami’s previous captain DeAndre Yedlin upon leaving the pitch.
Messi misses three times before 23’: Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0
Three shots, but three misses for Messi.
Messi’s most explosive opportunity was a right strike missed on a volleyed pass from Facundo Farías, but the shot was too high.
A make there would have made the Inter Miami faithful go crazy because of Messi’s charge toward the net on the attempt.
Earlier, Messi found some space and fired a left boot toward the net, but his shot was caught by Toronto FC goalie in the 18th minute.
In another sequence, Messi was caught in a crowd of Toronto players, and his shot hit off one of them to end the threat.
Still, the crowd is always most intrigued when Messi has a touch.
Toronto almost scores in 13’: Inter Miami 0, Toronto 0
Toronto FC standout forward Deandre Kerr had two shots on goal in the 13th minute, and Inter Miami got lucky twice.
Kerr’s first shot was blocked by Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar, while his rebound shot ricocheted off the right post.
Inter Miami’s Josef Martinez missed a shot that went behind the net, one minute later.
Inter Miami 0, Toronto FC 0 after 10’
Three updates from the first 10 minutes:
∎ Messi got a quick touch close to the net from DeAndre Yedlin, but the ball was quickly stolen from Toronto’s Jonathan Osorio in the eighth minute.
∎ Josef Martinez missed a left boot from the center of the box was too high just before the fourth minute.
∎ Inter Miami goalie Drake Callendar was almost caught too far from the net trying to regain possession, but Toronto was unable to reset itself offensively and surrendered the possession in the seventh minute.
How to watch Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC: Time, TV channel
The Inter Miami and Toronto FC match at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida kicks off at 7:30 pm ET and Apple TV will broadcast the match.
Messi warms up with Inter Miami teammates
Messi has returned to the Inter Miami pitch and is warming up with teammates before tonight’s match.
Here’s video of Messi, last in the top line, behind Sergio Busquets.
Messi is in the starting lineup for Inter Miami
That’s the burning question for soccer’s greatest star as the Inter Miami newcomer and Argentine World Cup champion has missed his last two games.
Messi is in Inter Miami’s starting lineup, but how much he plays could be up in the air.
Here are the starting lineups for both sides:
Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC predictions
Jim Reineking, sports editor: Inter Miami 4, Toronto FC 1. Toronto has endured a nightmarish season and is in contention for the dreaded Wooden Spoon (an unofficial prize for the team with the league’s worst record). TFC went nearly three months between victories and in the middle of that horrendous run fired coach Bob Bradley (yes, the same Bob Bradley who led the USMNT to the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup and LAFC to the 2019 Supporters’ Shield). If Lionel Messi — as well as his former Barcelona pals Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba — start this one, this could be an ugly rout.
Safid Deen, sports reporter: Messi scores one goal and gets an assist during a shutout. Miami 4, Toronto 0.
Alicia DelGallo, senior editor: Messi enters for 30 minutes and Inter Miami takes down Toronto 3-1.
Inter Miami vs. Toronto FC odds
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What did Inter Miami’s coach say about Messi?
Inter Miami coach Tata Martino was non-committal when asked about the availability of Messi and fellow standout Jordi Alba for the Toronto match.
“Messi and Alba will train in the full session today with the team, and after that we’ll see if they’re available to play and to what extent,” Martino told reporters Tuesday. “Beginning on Wednesday, we have six matches in 18 days, which is one match every three days, including the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final.”
Entering Wednesday’s action, Inter Miami has eight games remaining, with seven in MLS play this season.
Inter Miami has 28 points through 27 games, and is seven points behind the ninth-place team, D.C. United.
Any more losses, however, would be devastating for Inter Miami’s MLS postseason hopes.
Messi pizza photo: Business booms at restaurant that delivered pie
Lionel Messi was roundly mocked online for a pizza he shared by way of Instagram on Friday.
Messi ordered the “Don Antonio” pizza, which comes with mozzarella, tomato sauce, tomato slices, onion, anchovies and olives. It was a shock to see for some. Nonetheless, because of Messi, enterprise later was booming on the Argentinian pizza restaurant, Banchero Miami, which modified its Instagram bio to learn “@leomessi favourite pizza!” — Professional Soccer Wire
Inter Miami focuses on U.S. Open Cup title
It’s clear Inter Miami is wrestling with a number of components that embrace resting Messi, competing for his or her second championship subsequent week, and vying for a spot within the MLS playoff race this season.
Inter Miami will play Houston Dynamo within the U.S. Open Cup remaining on Sept. 27. However earlier than that, Inter Miami has two MLS video games, their second on the highway towards rival Orlando Metropolis on Sunday.
After beating Nashville within the Leagues Cup remaining in July, Inter Miami might add a second championship with Messi as their lead orchestrator.
“It doesn’t suggest we cannot go for it,” Martino stated final week of the MLS playoff race, “nevertheless it’s true that we’re centered on the twenty seventh.”
How did Messi play in his final match with Inter Miami?
Messi was held scoreless for the second time with Inter Miami, however he assisted on two targets in a 3-1 win towards LAFC on Sept. 4 in Los Angeles.
Inter Miami was in a position to beat Sporting Kansas Metropolis 3-2 on Sept. 9, whereas Messi was away with Argentina.
What’s Inter Miami’s remaining 2023 schedule?
Like the remainder of MLS, all of Inter Miami’s video games can be found to observe by way of the MLS Season Move on Apple TV — aside from the U.S. Open Cup remaining on Sept. 27, which will likely be obtainable to stream on the CBS Sports activities Golazo Community. Remember the fact that ought to Messi lead Inter Miami to the MLS playoffs, a few of these postseason video games additionally might be broadcast on FOX.
What are Wednesday evening’s video games for MLS Matchday 33?
- Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fireplace FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
- D.C. United vs. Atlanta United, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Inter Miami CF vs. Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
- CF Montréal vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. ET
- New York Metropolis FC vs. Orlando Metropolis SC, 7:30 p.m. ET
- New York Crimson Bulls vs. Austin FC, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Houston Dynamo FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Sporting Kansas Metropolis vs. Nashville SC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- St. Louis Metropolis SC vs. Los Angeles FC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Colorado Rapids vs. Seattle Sounders, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Actual Salt Lake vs. FC Dallas, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Minnesota United, 10:30 p.m. ET
- Portland Timbers vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:30 p.m. ET
All video games obtainable to stream by way of MLS Season Move on Apple TV.
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