Inter Miami appoints Kily González as head coach

Inter Miami has officially confirmed the appointment of Argentine Cristian ‘Kily’ González as the new head coach of the first team, succeeding interim manager Guillermo Hoyos. González will formally assume his duties once his U.S. work authorization is finalized. Hoyos, who has led the club since Javier Mascherano’s departure in April, will continue to support the institution in a provisional capacity. The coaching transition follows a period of poor performance where the club failed to win five consecutive matches. Addressing speculation regarding Lionel Messi’s potential influence on the decision, Hoyos stated that while players of Messi’s stature naturally possess influence, the appointment of González was an “institutional initiative.” On the field, the team has seen a significant turnaround, securing a 7-1 victory over CF Montréal. Lionel Messi led the performance by scoring four goals—including two direct free kicks—and providing an assist to Luis Suárez. This marked the first time a player has scored four goals in a single match in Inter Miami's history. The 39-year-old Argentine also moved closer to the professional record for career free-kick goals, currently sitting at 74. During this match, Messi set a new MLS record, becoming the fastest player to record 20 matches with multiple goals, achieving the feat in just 72 games. This performance also moved him to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 18 goals this season. In a major parallel development, Messi announced his retirement from the Argentine national team via Instagram, stating that while the decision was painful, he felt it was time to step aside for the next generation. His international career included six World Cups and a victory in Qatar in 2022. Off the pitch, Messi is expanding his influence by taking an ownership stake in the Spanish club UE Cornella.