Atlanta crowd disappointed as Messi misses match

Atlanta United defeated Inter Miami 5-2 on Saturday in front of 71,635 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Lionel Messi did not play due to “muscle fatigue.” Inter Miami “didn’t want to risk a more serious injury” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/16). Messi’s absence was a “brutal blow to fans who paid a premium thinking they would see a once-in-a-lifetime talent.” This was a “missed opportunity to showcase Messi in MLS’s grandest stadium" and in "front of the largest crowd he’ll see in America.” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, “The player being held out for rest is something that I, as the commissioner of the league -- if that’s in his best interest from a health and safety perspective -- I’m going to support it” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 9/16).