• Messi was substituted off before halftime for just the eighth time in 937 starts
• Ever so reliable, it was the first time Messi was hooked in the first half since 2018

Lionel Messi returned to Inter Miami’s lineup on Wednesday night, although it was a short-lived comeback, and his team rallied to a 4-0 win that could prove to be costly after he departed.

Messi was subbed off in the 37th minute of Inter Miami’s match against Toronto, after spending a few minutes laboring with what appeared to be a leg issue. Miami came up big without him, winning 4-0 to move within five points of the final playoff spot in Major League Soccer‘s Eastern Conference.

Robert Taylor, who came on for Messi, had two goals and an assist. But Messi’s status overshadowed all that.

ut Argentina’s World Cup qualifying win at Bolivia on September 12, and Inter Miami’s 5-2 loss at Atlanta United this past Saturday.

Fatigue was cited in both cases, but now it would appear the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has some kind of injury. The game was scoreless when Messi was subbed out and he left for the locker room before halftime after spending a few minutes in the bench area.

Lionel Messi was frustrated to come off in the first half of Miami’s win due to a muscle injury

Messi’s now facing a race against time to be fit for Miami’s US Open Cup final next Wednesday

Messi places the captains armband on US defender DeAndre Yedlin before being substituted

Messi, 36, had a wonderful chance to add to his tally of 11 goals in 12 games before getting hurt

It was the second big injury blow for Inter Miami on Wednesday.

Jordi Alba — another celebrated midseason addition — had to leave in the 34th minute, shortly before Messi’s night was over. Coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino told Apple TV’s broadcast before leaving the field for halftime that the team will evaluate both players over the next few days, but offered no specifics.

Facundo Farias and second-half sub Benjamin Cremaschi had the other goals.

Messi had a couple of chances Wednesday, and appeared to stop running somewhat abruptly after carrying the ball deep into the Toronto box in the 33rd minute. He was barely engaged after that, leaning forward at one point as if to stretch the back of his legs, then eventually took off his captain’s armband — actually trying a long pass while holding the armband — before waiting for play to stop so he could depart.

He didn’t even wait to come off the field before unlacing his cleats, lowering his socks and removing his shin guards. He placed the captain’s band onto the arm of DeAndre Yedlin — who was Inter Miami’s captain before Messi began his stint with the team in July — and now it’s anyone’s guess when Messi will wear it again.

Wednesday’s match was the first of what will be six for Inter Miami in a span of 17 days. The team next plays at Orlando on Sunday, then will host Houston in the U.S. Open Cup final on September 27.

Miami’s Argentine midfielder Facundo Farias opened the deadlock for his side in the first half

Miami winger Robert Taylor scored a stunning brace to cap off a wonderful second half display

That will be followed by three more MLS matches in short order: against New York City FC on September 30, at Chicago on October 4 and playing host to Cincinnati on October 7.

The daunting stretch will be even tougher if Messi isn’t around. Miami entered Wednesday seven points behind D.C. United for the final playoff spot in the East, with two matches in hand. D.C. United picked up a point by tying Atlanta on Wednesday, so Inter Miami’s three points for its win cut the deficit to five.

Despite its place in the standings, Inter Miami now controls its postseason destiny.

Win out, and a team that was at the bottom of MLS before Messi arrived will be in the playoffs.

Inter Miami fans celebrate after witnessing the first goal of the night being scored at DRV PNK

Inter Miami will now turn its attention to next Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup final vs. Houston

The Atlanta game halted what had been a 12-match unbeaten streak for Inter Miami since Messi debuted for the team against Mexican side Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup on July 21.

Inter Miami had gone 8-0-4 in those 12 matches, with three of those games that ended as ties being outcomes for the team to celebrate after advancing on penalty kicks — two in the Leagues Cup, including the final against Nashville for the Miami club’s first-ever trophy, and another in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals.

Messi has now appeared in 12 matches over two months for Miami, most of them in Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup competition.

He had 11 goals and eight assists in those appearances, and one goal with two assists in four MLS matches.