Lionel Messi had to exit Inter Miami's match against Toronto FC before halftime on Wednesday due to an unspecified injury. Coach Gerardo Martino expressed concerns that Messi might miss the U.S. Open Cup final scheduled for next week.
In the 37th minute, with the score tied at 0-0, Messi made way for Robert Taylor. He handed over the captain's armband to DeAndre Yedlin during the substitution.
Despite Messi's departure, Inter Miami went on to secure an impressive 4-0 victory. Taylor scored twice, while Facundo Farias and Benjamin Cremaschi also found the back of the net.
Messi had already missed Miami's previous match against Atlanta, citing fatigue, and sat out Argentina's game against Bolivia last week.
Martino confirmed that they would be assessing Messi and Jordi Alba's injuries in the coming days. Both players are ruled out for Sunday's game against Orlando City and are uncertain for the Cup final against Houston Dynamo next Wednesday.
"There is no chance they will be there on Sunday. I know we have a final to play but they won't go near the pitch if they can't play," said Martino.
The coach noted that Messi had been managing an "old injury."
"The scans he had with the national team, they didn't show any injury. We still saved him to be safe," he added.
"We don't think he has a muscular injury. That's also from a conversation I just had with him. But we have to continue being careful. And we'll look at it the next few days."
Inter Miami has maintained an undefeated record with Messi on the field since his signing in July, which includes a victory in last month's Leagues Cup.