Both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were forced out of Inter Miami’s MLS clash with Toronto on Wednesday in a huge blow to Tata Martino’s side.

Alba had ice on his right hamstring after he came out ten minutes before the end of the first half at DRV PNK Stadium.

Messi cut a similarly frustrated figure a couple of minutes later when he handed over the armband and was replaced just 37 minutes into his return to MLS action. ‘It is just fatigue,’ Martino said after the 4-0 win.

Inter Miami takes on Houston Dynamo in the US Open Cup final next Wednesday, while Martino’s side sits five points off the playoff places with six regular season games to go.

Both Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were forced out of Inter Miami’s MLS clash with Toronto

Messi hands over the armband over to DeAndre Yedlin as he heads from the field

The two former Barcelona teammates took their place on the bench after coming out

Messi cuts a frustrated figure after being replaced during the first half on Wednesday night

It was just the eighth time in 937 career starts that Messi was substituted off before halftime – and the first since October 2018. 

The 36-year-old was back in the team after missing the team’s 5-2 loss at Atlanta on Saturday with what coach Martino described as ‘muscle fatigue’. 

That defeat further dented Miami’s hopes of reaching the playoffs but Messi took a full part in training on Tuesday and he went straight back into the starting XI. 

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Messi had not played for Miami since September 4 after going on international duty and missing both the Atlanta defeat and the team’s victory over Kansas City. 

Shortly after the double blow, Facundo Farias volleyed Miami into the lead and Martino’s side eventually ran out 4-0 winners.

Robert Taylor – who replaced Messi – scored two brilliant second-half goals, with Benjamin Cremaschi also on the scoresheet.

Messi was seen heading down the tunnel at DRV PNK Stadium shortly before half-time. He was walking unaided but appeared to tweak something shortly before leaving the field. His body language told the story: his night was over.

Shortly before half time the 36-year-old was seen heading down the tunnel in Florida

Messi had not played for Miami since September 4 after going on international duty 

‘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,’ Martino said before the game.

‘We have a lot of important matches in a short window of time, and one of my responsibilities as the coach is to care for my players and help them make the hard decisions that will give us the best chance of keeping everyone healthy during this busy run.’

Miami started the game second bottom of the Eastern Conference, seven points off the playoff places with six regular season matches to play.

Last weekend, thousands of fans were left distraught after traveling across the country to see their hero play in Atlanta – only to learn that he had stayed back in Miami.