Will Lionel Messi miss U.S. Open Cup final for Inter Miami? Tata Martino delivers update on injuries for Argentina superstar & Jordi Alba after early substitutions vs Toronto FC

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner returned to domestic action on Wednesday for the first time since picking up a knock while on World Cup qualifying duty with Argentina. Messi lasted just 37 minutes before having to be replaced. Jordi Alba – who had also sat out Inter Miami’s last fixture – was another substituted early on against Toronto FC. Both former Barcelona superstars will be assessed over the coming days, with no risks being taken with them in a derby date with neighbours Orlando, before decisions are made on their involvement in a cup final clash with the Houston Dynamo on September 27.

Asked for a fitness update on Messi and Alba after Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Toronto, head coach Martino said: “We have to go day by day, see the medical report, see what they themselves tell us. We’ll monitor them and we’ll think about it. Obviously, there’s no chance they’ll play on Sunday.”

He added on the problem holding Messi back: “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. 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.”

Alba pressed an ice pack on his injured hamstring after leaving the field, while Messi cut a frustrated figure after being replaced before half-time for just the eighth time in his remarkable career. Asked if the pair are now doubts for another shot at major silverware against Houston, Martino said: “I know we have a final, but in no way will they step on the field if they’re not in conditions to do so.”

Messi has made an immediate impact in the United States – helping Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup crown within weeks of his arrival – and still has 11 goals through 12 appearances for the club despite having now not scored since August 27.