Messi logs 2 assists for Inter Miami in first match since retiring from international soccer

MIAMI (AP) — Lionel Messi may have retired from international soccer, but he's certainly not done making an impact on the pitch.

Messi had two assists for Inter Miami on Saturday night as his MLS club played Atlanta United to a 2-2 draw in his first match since announcing that his time playing for his native Argentina is done.

Luis Suárez and Casemiro scored for Inter Miami, which is second in the Eastern Conference and 10 points behind first-place Nashville with 11 matches left in the regular season.

Casemiro headed home a corner from Messi to open the scoring in the 32nd minute. Miguel Almirón equalized for Atlanta a couple minutes later before Messi lofted a pass toward Telasco Segovia, who set up Suárez’s 12th goal of the season — a right-footed shot from the center of the box just before halftime.

Breel Embolo, converted a penalty in the 87th, and Atlanta withstood a series of last-minute chances by Inter Miami for the draw.

On a rainy night at Inter Miami's Nu Stadium, fans cheered when players from both clubs came out for warm-ups after inclement weather caused a delay of more than an hour — and they roared even louder when Messi emerged from the tunnel.

“Very emotional,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said in Spanish during a prematch interview with Apple TV. “We lived with so much excitement having him out there on the field. It brought us so much joy to see the Argentina jersey all over the world, and it always had a No. 10 on the back.”

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Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón, left scores a goal past Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, center, during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro, far left, rear, watches after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez (9) celebrates with Germán Berterame, left, and Telasco Segovia, right, after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami forward Leo Messi, left, kicks the ball as Atlanta United defender Paulo Díaz, right, defends uring the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Inter Miami midfielder Casemiro (5) celebrates with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul (7) and forward Leo Messi (10) after scoring a goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Atlanta United, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Spencer Jones hit a two-out RBI double against his hometown team to start a four-run rally in the second inning, and the New York Yankees beat the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Saturday.

Carlos Rodón and four relievers held the Padres to three hits as the Yankees (81-61) pulled within a victory of clinching their 34th straight winning season. They've won five of seven games and 13 of 19, and are in control of the American League's top wild-card spot.

The Padres, who have lost six of eight, fell a half-game behind Arizona for the third National League wild card.

The Yankees drew seven walks, with three of those players scoring, and loaded the bases in three different innings.

Jones, a rookie who attended La Costa Canyon High in Carlsbad, doubled into the right-field corner off left-hander Robbie Ray in the second to bring in Ben Rice, who hit a leadoff single and advanced on George Lombard Jr.'s grounder.

Ray then walked three straight batters to bring in a run before Cody Bellinger hit a two-run single. Lombard added a sacrifice fly in the third to bring in Rice, who had walked and advanced on Heliot Ramos' single.

On Friday night, Jones hit an RBI single in the 10th to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead before San Diego's Luis Campusano walked it off with a two-run homer.

Rodón (5-3) earned his first win in five starts by holding the Padres to one run and two hits in five innings while striking out seven and walking three. His only big mistake was allowing Manny Machado's leadoff homer in the fourth, his 25th.

Ray (11-8) permitted five runs on five hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings, It was his shortest outing since getting only two outs against Atlanta with San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2024.

Yankees RHP Gerrit Cole (8-7, 3.29 ERA) and Padres RHP Michael King (9-9, 3.11) are scheduled to pitch in the series finale Sunday.

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San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill tracks down a hit for a single by New York Yankees' Spencer Jones during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

New York Yankees pitcher Tim Hill, right, celebrates with catcher Austin Wells after the Yankees defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1 in a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

New York Yankees right fielder Spencer Jones, right, celebrates with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt after the Yankees defeated the San Diego Padres 5-1 in a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

New York Yankees' Spencer Jones runs after hitting an RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)