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Tata Martino Names the Only Player Besides Lionel Messi He Views as a Soccer Icon
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- Tata Martino Names the Only Player Besides Lionel Messi He Views as a Soccer Icon
Atlanta United head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino is among the few managers who have had the opportunity to work with Lionel Messi at multiple stages of his career.
The 63-year-old coached the Argentine superstar at Barcelona and, more recently, Inter Miami, where they won the Leagues Cup and the Supporters' Shield.
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Having worked with what he calls the 'most important player in history,' Martino also has a personal connection to another Argentine legend. During his playing days at Newell's Old Boys, he shared the field with Diego Maradona.
Following Atlanta United's 3-1 loss to Inter Miami, Martino praised Messi's remarkable career and his performances at the World Cup. He also placed Maradona alongside the Inter Miami captain as one of the most important players in the history of the sport.
'Tata' Martino in Awe of Lionel Messi's World Cup Run
Martino's Atlanta United suffered a 3-1 defeat against Inter Miami, with Messi scoring twice and Germán Berterame adding a late first-half goal.
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When asked about Messi after the game, the former Barcelona manager praised the 39-year-old's longevity and his ability to deliver on the biggest stage, including at the World Cup.
Lionel Messi celebrates during the MLS match between Inter Miami and D.C. United.Rich Storry / Getty Images
"He is, alongside Maradona, the most important player in history, based on what I myself lived and saw," he claimed.
"He is a player who continues to deliver what I've always said, for 20 consecutive years, in different places. And you had the chance to see it in the World Cup."
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Martino also praised Messi's performance at the World Cup, particularly the semifinal against England where they came back from behind to beat the Three Lions.
"He's 39 years old, and he decides a semifinal match with an individual effort. That's why there's no need to say anything more; the images speak for themselves, and what we see is a continuous state of awe, match after match," he expressed.
Lionel Messi Breaks MLS Record
Messi added another milestone to his already remarkable career by becoming the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons.
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The Argentine has also reached 25 goals for the season and currently leads the league's scoring charts. He also contributed to Inter Miami's first goal with an assist on Berterame's first-half strike.
Messi is now just four goals and four assists away from matching his numbers from last season, an incredible feat that is further proof of his world-class ability even at 39.
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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
