Nashville SC manager Gary Smith revealed his hilarious reaction when Inter Miami brought off Lionel Messi last night.

The Argentine international was substituted at the 50th-minute mark with Tata Martino saying Messi was feeling some discomfort in the second-half, having already scored and assisted in the opening 45 minutes.

Messi was fully rested on the weekend heading into last night’s CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Nashville, yet the 36-year-old still came away with a potential injury that could be of concern.

Nashville manager gives hilarious verdict after Inter Miami brought off Lionel Messi

And speaking to the Miami Herald, Smith detailed an amusing first reaction to when he saw that Messi was coming off for Inter Miami, with the Herons taking a noticeable dip when the substitute was made.

Smith said when asked what his thoughts were when Messi came off for Inter Miami: “Firstly, thank goodness. He has such a huge influence on the rest of the team.

“Yes, they have very good players, but there is no one that can do what he can do. There is an infinite amount of trust in his decisions, his technique, his ability. As soon as he gets on the ball everyone else goes into gear, and that’s a real problem.

“There isn’t anyone else, maybe one or two players in the league, who have that sort of confidence from the rest of the teammates, and nobody on the level of this guy.”

Lionel Messi is now the most feared player in North America

It’s perhaps an easy statement to make given how incredible Messi has been throughout his entire career, but last night showed just how brilliant the Argentine still is.

The 36-year-old forward was sensational against Nashville, scoring and assisting in a historic 3-1 result for Inter Miami to book their ticket in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup.

Indeed, Messi alone could help Inter Miami win the biggest prize in North American soccer, and comments from Smith show just how much of a threat the forward still is.