Ammon News - Lionel Messi came off the pitch in the 73rd minute of his last club match before the ​World Cup on Sunday but Inter Miami coach Guillermo ‌Hoyos said he thought the Argentine was just fatigued after playing on a heavy pitch.

The eight-times Ballon d'Or winner was substituted ​after clutching the back of his thigh in the ​wake of one of his trademark free kicks ⁠during Inter's 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Union in ​Miami.

"We don't have a medical report on that yet, but ​we will have one shortly," Hoyos told reporters when asked why the talismanic forward was taken off.

"He was genuinely suffering from fatigue ​in that regard; it is indeed fatigue. He was ​tired, the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach ‌is ⁠always to ensure you don't take any risks."

Major League Soccer is now taking a mid-season break for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada ​and Mexico ​from June 11 ⁠to July 19.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni announced a 55-man squad, including Messi, on May ​11. He will need to reduce it ​to 26 ⁠before FIFA's June 1 deadline.

Messi was highly influential as Argentina won the World Cup for a third time in Qatar ⁠four ​years ago. They open their title ​defence against Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.

Reuters