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Gerardo Martino warned that no team can fully neutralize Lionel Messi over 90 minutes ahead of Atlanta United's clash with Inter Miami. Gerardo “Tata” Martino reflected on what it means to face his former star player Lionel Messi ahead of Atlanta United’s clash with Inter Miami this Saturday, in what marks his first meeting with the Argentine since taking over as Atlanta’s head coach. Martino, who led Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters’ Shield before stepping away last year, didn’t hold back when discussing the challenge of trying to contain his old captain. “Really, he’s the one who has the decision, not us — we’re the ones who are going to play against him. It’s always been that way. I don’t know, we just saw it, 39 years old at a World Cup, and everything that happened in a match went through him,” Martino said. The reference wasn’t lost on anyone following Messi’s summer: at 39, he delivered arguably his best statistical World Cup, scoring eight goals as Argentina reached the final before falling to Spain. Building toward Saturday. 🧱🔥 #MIAvATL pic.twitter.com/KvNF1YcRFc— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) September 2, 2026 “No team is capable of neutralizing him for 92, 93, 95 minutes of a match. So there’s always a moment where he’s going to be decisive. Sometimes there are many moments in a match, sometimes, like the match against England, it’s just one moment and it’s over, there’s no turning back,” Martino continued. “And this is the same thing. I told the players: if we control the game for 89 minutes, it’s possible we still lose it,” the Argentine coach added. The comments set the stage for Saturday’s matchup, as Atlanta look to spring an upset against a Miami side currently sitting second in the Eastern Conference. Martino and Messi’s shared history across three teams Martino first coached Messi at Barcelona during the 2013-14 season, guiding the club to a 40-11-8 record across 59 matches and lifting the Spanish Super Cup, though Barcelona fell short in both LaLiga and the Copa del Rey that year. He then took the reins of the Argentina national team in 2014, leading Messi and company to a 19-7-3 record over two years, reaching back-to-back Copa America finals in 2015 and 2016, both of which ended in defeat to Chile. Their most successful stretch together came at Inter Miami, where Messi’s arrival in 2023 produced an immediate impact under Martino, scoring 11 goals in his first nine matches for the club. Martino went on to guide Miami to the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield before departing the club last year, closing out a partnership with Messi that spanned more than a decade across three different teams.
Chelsea thumped Real Sociedad 6-2 on aggregate to reach the Women's Champions League, much to the delight of Sonia Bompastor. The post Bompastor lauds Chelsea youngsters after securing Champions League qualification appeared first on SoccerNews.
The Argentine superstar once again proved why he remains one of the game's defining figures, producing a decisive display that further strengthened his remarkable legacy while helping his club begin the tournament perfectly. Lionel Messi delivered another unforgettable performance as Inter Miami opened its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign with an impressive victory, adding yet another milestone to his extraordinary career. The Argentine superstar once again proved why he remains one of the game’s defining figures, producing a decisive display that further strengthened his remarkable legacy while helping his club begin the tournament perfectly. The latest achievement adds to an already glittering resume that spans nearly two decades, but this one carried special significance in a competition that has become increasingly important across North America. By the final whistle, Messi had once again placed himself at the center of the soccer conversation after another night where his quality made the difference. Inter Miami opens with statement victory Inter Miami kicked off its Leagues Cup journey by defeating Atletico San Luis 4-2 in an entertaining contest that featured six goals, dramatic momentum swings, and another masterclass from Messi. Despite conceding within the opening minutes, the MLS side quickly recovered and seized control before halftime. David Rodríguez handed the Mexican club an early advantage after just four minutes, briefly silencing the home crowd. The response, however, came almost immediately, as Messi equalized in the 11th minute with a composed finish after being found by his teammates in space. The comeback continued midway through the first half when Telasco Segovia completed the turnaround, giving Inter Miami a deserved lead. Messi then struck again shortly before halftime, before defender Micael added a fourth goal in stoppage time, putting the match well beyond Atletico San Luis before the interval. Although Rafa Llorente reduced the deficit during the second half, Inter Miami comfortably protected its advantage to secure all three points. The victory also extended the club’s unbeaten run and immediately established it among the tournament favorites. Messi reaches another historic milestone The two goals did far more than secure victory for Inter Miami. Messi’s brace officially made him the Leagues Cup‘s all-time leading goalscorer, taking his tally to 14 goals in just 12 appearances. Entering the night, the Argentine was level with LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, but his first-half double moved him into first place on his own. Later in the evening, Bouanga also found the net to draw level again on 14 goals, but the Argentine superstar did it in fewer games. RankPlayerTeamGoalsAppsGoals per Game1.Lionel MessiInter Miami CF14121.172.Denis BouangaLAFC14131.083.Bongokuhle HlongwaneMinnesota United9100.904.Diego RossiColumbus Crew / Monterrey890.895.Tai BariboPhiladelphia Union771.00 The milestone continues a remarkable run since Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. His arrival transformed the club’s fortunes almost immediately, leading it to its first Leagues Cup title before guiding it back to another deep run in subsequent editions.
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