Lionel Messi And Jordi Alba Give Inter Miami Double Injury Scare

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba gave Inter Miami a double injury scare on Wednesday when both were substituted off in the first half against Toronto FC.

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba both failed to complete the first half of Inter Miami's game against Toronto FC on Wednesday night.

Alba came off in the 34th minute with a suspected hamstring issue. Messi then departed three minutes later.

It was not immediately clear what Messi's injury issue was but the Argentina captain was seen with his left foot raised as he sat on the bench.

Messi later appeared to be moving okay when he walked back to the locker room unaided - although he was closely flanked by his personal bodyguard.

But Miami boss Gerardo Martino said after the game that Messi had been struggling with an "old injury". 

Lionel Messi pictured (right) sat on the Inter Miami bench after being substituted off during a game against Toronto FC on Wednesday / Apple TV

Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were both subbed off in the first half with apparent injuries. pic.twitter.com/ZUDahKR2vA

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 21, 2023

The score was 0-0 when Messi left the field but Miami took the lead moments after his exit thanks to a fine strike by Facundo Farias.

Miami went on to win 4-0 after Robert Taylor scored twice in the second half either side of a goal from Benjamin Cremaschi.

Messi's early exit on Wednesday came four days after he had missed his side's 5-2 loss to Atlanta United with what Martino described as "muscular fatigue".

Herons fans will be hoping that Messi's withdrawal against Toronto was only precautionary, with the U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo just one week away.

Martino said following the Toronto game that Messi and Alba will definitely miss Sunday's clash with Orlando City.

"There is no chance they will be there on Sunday," Martino told reporters.

"I know we have a final to play [on Wednesday] but they won't go near the pitch if they can't play."