09 March 2024 , 06:00
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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.
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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 MacNaughton. The Nashville defender caught Messi high with his studs showing, but the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner finished the game and MacNaughton escaped serious punishment.
Suarez lost his cool in the previous game against Orlando City (Getty Images) Last week, Suarez was involved in another heated exchange with Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, with the Miami striker arguing with the shot stopper during the half-time interval. Suarez had already scored twice and was denied a hat-trick by the offside flag, and after an initial exchange with Gallese their emotions continued at the break.
On February 26, it was Messi that started beefing with LA Galaxy midfielder Edwin Cerrillo during a 1-1 draw in MLS. During a goalless first half Cerrillo squared up to Suarez, and this time Messi came over to defend his friend and former Barcelona teammate.
Cerrillo revealed after the game he was surprised that Messi even acknowledged him, but explained that he wasn't going to back down against the huge football stars. "First I was surprised that [Messi] was talking to me, so I didn’t understand the first thing he said to me, nor did it register with me," Cerrillo told TyC Sports.
"He was serious and at that moment I knew I needed to stay calm because it was early in the game. And when Suarez and [Sergio] Busquets came to defend [Messi]... Well, it’s nice, but it’s part of football and at that moment was when I had to be calm. What was said will remain with me, it is something that I will always have in my mind and I will keep that."