Lionel Messi was substituted with an apparent leg injury in the 37th minute of Inter Miami CF's game against Toronto FC on Wednesday, only minutes after his former Barcelona teammate Jordi Alba had also left the field.
Messi and Alba, who both started the game after not making the trip for Saturday's 5-2 loss at Atlanta United FC, were not involved in any particularly heavy challenges or visibly limping but were clearly in some kind of physical discomfort. — Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Both players went straight to the bench rather than the locker room after leaving the field, with Miami scoring a goal after the two left the field to lead 1-0 at halftime.
Messi looked lively early on and had a golden chance in the 23rd minute when his far-post volley from a superb floated Facundo Farías ball was blasted over the bar from close range.
However, 15 minutes later, it was clear that the Argentine was laboring due to some physical issue, and he was replaced by Robert Taylor.