Argentina appear to have been handed a welcome injury boost ahead of the World Cup with the news that Lionel Messi's injury scare is not thought to be serious.
Inter Miami star Messi has World Cup organisers and Argentina fans worrying as he left Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union with an apparent hamstring injury at the weekend.
However his club have announced that he was suffering from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring when he requested to be replaced on Sunday.
"After undergoing further medical tests this Monday, the initial diagnosis indicates an overload associated with muscle fatigue in his left hamstring," Inter Miami said in a statement. "The timeline for his return to physical activity will depend on his clinical and functional progress."
Messi was seen grabbing at his upper thigh before he asked to be replaced in the 73rd minute, and he headed directly to the dressing room.
Messi's ailment comes about one week before Argentina begins to prepare for their World Cup title defense at a training camp in Kansas City.
It's unclear whether Messi will have to miss any time due to the overload. The MLS season has now begun its World Cup break, and Messi, 38, may return to training with Argentina or may need to rest further before matches begin.
Argentina plays Algeria on 16 June in Kansas City for their first group-stage match. Messi and company will also face Austria and Jordan as part of Group J.
Messi helped Argentina win their first World Cup since 1986 and its third overall four years ago in Qatar. He won the Golden Ball for the tournament's top player.
