Lionel Messi once again proved why he’s the heart of Inter Miami, leading his team to a resounding 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in the MLS clash on Saturday night at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. The Argentine legend scored two goals and provided an assist to Jordi Alba, ensuring Miami’s place among the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference.
Messi, who opted to play for his club instead of joining Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela, showcased brilliance throughout the match. His first goal came in the 39th minute, curling a superb strike into the top corner after controlling a cross from Baltasar Rodriguez, giving Miami a 1-0 lead.
In the 52nd minute, Messi’s creative vision produced another moment of magic. He delivered a precise long pass to Jordi Alba, who beat Atlanta’s goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert with a deft lob, extending the lead to 2-0.
Veteran striker Luis Suarez added a third goal in the 61st minute, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and looping the ball into the net. Messi sealed the win in the 87th minute, scoring his second of the night from Alba’s assist, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The victory lifted Inter Miami’s record to 18-7-8 (62 points), guaranteeing at least the third seed in the conference and keeping hopes alive for the No. 2 spot, depending on FC Cincinnati’s results. With this performance, Messi now leads the MLS scoring charts with 26 goals and is tied for the top in assists (18).
Meanwhile, Atlanta United continued their struggles, suffering their third consecutive defeat and remaining winless in their last five matches. The team’s injury woes worsened as Stian Gregersen limped off early with a suspected hamstring issue.
It was a dominant showing by Miami, driven by Messi’s excellence and the team’s fluid attacking rhythm — a clear sign that Inter Miami are hitting form at the perfect time ahead of the playoffs.