Overview
- Lionel Messi announced his retirement from the Argentina national team after a 21-year run, a decision reported earlier this week that he said followed private family discussions.
- Messi returned to Inter Miami's starting lineup for the Sept. 5 MLS match against Atlanta United after scoring four goals in a 7-1 win in his previous club game.
- Gerardo Martino publicly praised Messi's choice, hugged him before the match and urged the player to enjoy life away from national-team demands.
- Martino warned opponents that no team can neutralize Messi for an entire match and that decisive moments from him can undo long periods of control.
- The game was shown on Apple TV's MLS Season Pass, Inter Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference with 42 points, and the club continues with Guillermo Hoyos as interim coach while Cristian 'Kily' González is expected but not yet presented.