Lionel Messi's early sub shows Inter Miami's Tata Martino clearly picking U.S. Open Cup final over MLS for now

The Argentine superstar didn't even play the entire first half as the club prioritizes a potential second trophy

Before halftime against Toronto FC Wednesday, Inter Miami's Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba were withdrawn in a strange turn of events after manager Tata Martino stated that they were battling fatigue heading into the match. Alba was replaced by Noah Allen in the 35th minute and then Messi was substituted by Robert Taylor in the 37th minute in what seemed like a planned switch in a 4-0 win. It turns out it wasn't. Neither player went to the locker room for treatment and appeared fine on the bench but Martino said afterwards that Messi is dealing with fatigue while saying he has an "injury scar."

"They trained normally and we felt like they were ready to play," Martino said following the match, according to The Athletic. "I don't believe it's anything new or anything worse than what they have. It's fatigue. I don't think it's a muscular injury."

"He had an old injury that had been bothering him," Martino added, per the AP. "In this case, that he had with the national team."