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Lionel Messi may be stepping away from international soccer, but he continues to perform at an elite level whenever he takes the field. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar is rewriting the record books with virtually every appearance he makes.
On Saturday, Messi contributed two assists in Inter Miami's 2–2 tie with Atlanta United, becoming the first player in MLS history to record 30 goal contributions across three different seasons. He now boasts a Golden Boot-leading tally of 18 goals and 12 assists in just 20 league outings this campaign.
Messi delivered a pinpoint corner to Casemiro, with the Brazilian veteran nodding it home in the 32nd minute for his second goal of the year. Fifteen minutes later, Messi played a perfectly weighted through-ball to Luis Suárez, who finished it off for his 12th MLS goal of the season.
In goal, Dayne St. Clair denied a penalty from Miguel Almirón before conceding a late spot kick to Breel Embolo. The Swiss World Cup forward netted his first goal against Messi, shortly after receiving a red card in the World Cup quarterfinal encounter between the two nations.
"No revenge, it's always a pleasure to play against the greatest, [but] it's two different games," Embolo told Apple TV after the final whistle.
Gerardo Martino's Emotional Embrace
The result also marked a poignant return for Gerardo "Tata" Martino, the Argentine coach who hails from Messi's hometown of Rosario. Martino guided the Herons to the greatest regular season in MLS history in 2024 (74 points), before departing the role for undisclosed "personal reasons."
Martino also managed Messi at Barcelona (2013–2014), stepping down after a short, silverware-free tenure, and with the Argentina national team (2014–16), suffering back-to-back defeats in the Copa América final. The 63-year-old, who has returned to an Atlanta side he guided to the 2018 MLS Cup, made a point of embracing his former star after the final whistle.
🚨 WATCH: Leo Messi ran over to embrace Tata Martino ahead of today's game against Atlanta United. 🤩💗🖤
🎥 Pablobe First via IG pic.twitter.com/8tJxrOy5Il
"I wish I could have done it sooner, but this was my first opportunity," Martino said of the reunion, which has since gone viral across Argentine social media.
"He has been through a lot in the past two months, from a soccer standpoint and family issues. I wanted to give him that hug ... As much as it hurt all of us Argentines to hear him say he is done playing for that shirt, we all knew this day was coming. We are all selfish and want him to keep playing for that shirt. But the time has come for him to be with his family and enjoy his life."
Miami's Defensive Issues Remain
Messi's brilliance continued to dazzle, yet the Herons failed to close the gap in the race for the Supporters' Shield. Despite table-topping Nashville SC dropping points in a goalless draw against New York City FC, Inter Miami's draw left them 11 points adrift of the leaders and sitting third in MLS.
A shaky defensive structure is a significant contributing factor. For the second consecutive match, Casemiro shifted from his natural defensive midfield position to center back and was less assured than the previous week, giving the ball away for Atlanta's opening goal and conceding a penalty.
Falcón, meanwhile, was troubled by Atlanta's pressing and pace alongside Casemiro. Additionally, Fricio Caicedo gave away a penalty and committed five fouls while deployed at left back rather than his preferred center back position at just 18 years old.
Following the sale of all-time club appearance record holder Noah Allen to the Chicago Fire, the Herons are left with minimal defensive depth and flexibility, a problem that took center stage on Saturday.
Attention now shifts to an away fixture against Chicago Fire FC and Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday, before a crucial home showdown with Nashville SC on Saturday — a match that could effectively end the Herons' hopes of claiming the Shield.