Messi and Alba leave Inter Miami winning in the first half and won't play in the next game

Lionel Messi was substituted in the 37th minute of Inter Miami CF's 4-0 win over Toronto FC on Wednesday due to muscle exhaustion, minutes after Jordi Alba exited the field.

After the match, Miami coach Gerardo Martino said Alba and Messi will be evaluated in the coming days, but neither would be available to play against Orlando City on Sunday to prepare for the U.S. Open Cup final against Houston Dynamo next Wednesday.

No chance they'll be there Sunday. I know we have a final next Wednesday, but they won't play if they can't "Martino commented.

Messi and Alba, who started the game after missing Saturday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta United FC, were clearly in pain but did not make any strong challenges.

Messi started well and missed a close-range far-post shot in the 23rd minute. After 15 minutes, it was evident the Argentine was straining due to a physical ailment, and Taylor replaced him.

Alba left four minutes before Messi. Toronto made two replacements before Miami's duo went, with former Barcelona youth player Victor Vasquez leaving in the 12th minute. He was replaced by Brandon Servania, who was assisted off with a knee injury 14 minutes later.

In recent days, Messi missed two matches, one for club and one for nation. He missed Argentina's World Cup qualifying triumph against Bolívia on Sept. 12 and the loss to Atlanta on Saturday.

Miami is five points behind D.C. United, which drew 1-1 with Cincinnati on Wednesday, for the Eastern Conference last playoff place with two matches in hand.

Messi had 11 Miami appearances, mostly in Leagues Cup and U.S. Open Cup. He scored 11 goals and five assists in his first 11 games, including one goal and two assists in three MLS matches.