Messi and Suarez involved in heated row as Inter Miami face worrying problem

Luis Suarez was quick to defend Lionel Messi during a bust-up in the early hours of Friday morning after Inter Miami clashed with Nashville SC.

The two MLS sides met in the first leg of their round of 16 Concacaf Champions League tie, with Suarez scoring a 95th minute equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw. Messi had reduced the deficit to one goal after Jacob Shaffelburg scored a brace to put Nashville in a comfortable lead.

Miami and Nashville clashed in the Leagues Cup final last year - which Miami won - and there's still tension between the two teams. Although their newfound rivalry may have an explanation, it's not the first time that Suarez or Messi have lost their cool this season.

Both Messi and Suarez are winding down their careers and are aware that each time they walk out onto the pitch in North America they will be the best players on show. But that doesn't mean opposition players aren't getting in their heads, and it's an issue Miami boss Gerardo Martino needs to resolve as composure will be critical to achieve success this season.

With Miami trailing 2-1 in the 67th minute on Friday morning, Nashville defensive midfielder Anibal Godoy lunged in to block Messi's effort from the edge of the area. Messi reacted angrily to the Panama international and Suarez was quick to jump in and take over.

Suarez and Godoy went face to face before teammates got in between the two stars, but the Miami striker would not back down and was fighting to break free and get to the Nashville player. It's not known if anything was said, but Godoy did his job by deflecting Messi's shot and settling for a corner.

The reaction may have led to an injury scare for Messi, who just 10 minutes later was caught by a dangerous late challenge by Lukas