An unlikely saviour rescued Lionel Messi from a "ridiculous" red card as the Inter Miami superstar raged at match officials after a MLS draw.

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Herons held to a point in six-goal thrillerArgentine icon took issue with match refereeFormer USMNT coach had to step inFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was in a foul mood after the final whistle blew on an entertaining contest in San Jose. Inter Miami were held to a point after playing out a six-goal thriller with the home field Earthquakes.

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The Herons led that contest inside the opening 60 seconds, but ended up having to battle back on a couple of occasions to claim a share of the spoils. Messi did not enjoy his most productive evening in California.

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The Argentine icon took issue with a tackle just outside the penalty area in stoppage-time, before continuing with his complaints as players made their way off the pitch. He was shown a yellow card for remonstrating with head referee Joe Dickerson – who advised him to "walk away now".

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It was at that point former USMNT coach Bruce Arena, who is now in charge of the Earthquakes, stepped in and kept Messi out of trouble. He told reporters afterwards: "He was obviously not happy, and I wanted to make sure he wasn't going to get a red card.

"I just tried to move him out of the way, because for him to get a red card at the end of the game would have been ridiculous. I just wanted to make sure we get him out of there and he's ready to play the next game for Miami."