Lionel Messi: Martino Dispels Claims Inter Miami Star Suffered Muscle Injury Against Toronto

• Lionel Messi limped out of Inter Miami's 4-0 win over Toronto in the first half
• Messi returned to the lineup after missing the defeat away at Atlanta United
• Tata Martino has explained the injury, having also seen Jordi Alba injured in the game

Inter Miami head coach, Tata Martino has allayed fears that Lionel Messi suffered a muscle injury after he came off in the first half of the 4-0 win over Toronto, but his update is not exactly good news.

Messi returned to the starting lineup after being rested for the 5-2 away loss to Atlanta United, having also sat out Argentina's 3-0 win over Bolivia on international duty.

His time on the pitch lasted only 37 minutes as he was substituted with what appeared to be a muscle injury. It came three minutes after Jordi Alba also came off with an injury.

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As reported by Goal, Messi's replacement, Robert Taylor, scored twice and assisted another goal, but the Finnish star admitted he is not the Argentine's replacement as no one can copy him.

Martino explains Messi's injury

The Argentina captain appeared to be suffering from muscle problems after he was spotted clutching his hamstring during warm-up, but head coach Tata Martino has dispelled claims of a muscle injury.

“In principle, it’s a scar from an old injury that’s bothering him. The image brought with him from Argentina, there was no muscular injury,” Martino said, via MLS Soccer.

“We also preserved him [against Atlanta] because of that scar. I think it’s exactly the same thing, it’s not a muscular injury. But I’m saying that more than anything because of a talk I had with him. Maybe we need to be more cautious than what I’m saying.”

The 36-year-old is sure to sit out the Florida derby against Orlando City on Sunday, while assessments will decide if he plays a part in the US Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo next Wednesday.

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Messi and Ronaldo sent honest messages

Sports Brief also reported that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo received honest messages from a former Chelsea star as the UEFA Champions League kicked off without them for the first time in 20 years.

Terry Phelan admitted that both would be missed, but life goes on without them in the competition after they exited Europe for Saudi Arabia and the United States.