India, May 25 -- Lionel Messi has given Argentina an anxious wait less than three weeks before their FIFA World Cup title defence, after the Inter Miami captain was substituted with an apparent left-leg problem during his club's final match before the tournament break.

Messi came off in the 73rd minute of Inter Miami's 6-4 win over Philadelphia Union on Sunday, after appearing to clutch the back of his left leg. The Guardian first reported the injury scare after his early exit, while Reuters later carried the detailed post-match explanation from Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos.

The incident came during a rain-hit MLS game at Nu Stadium in Miami, where the heavy surface had already made conditions difficult. Lionel Messi had been invol...