Following a brief break from Argentina’s international fixtures during the FIFA window, Messi delivered a commanding display against Atlanta.
Published On 12 Oct 2025
In a dominant display at Chase Stadium in Florida, Lionel Messi netted twice and set up Jordi Alba’s goal, steering Inter Miami to a convincing 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday evening.
Having opted out of Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela held in Miami the previous night, Messi took to the field for Inter Miami (18-7-8, 62 points), securing at least the third seed in the Eastern Conference with this win.
Inter Miami still holds the possibility of climbing to the second seed, provided they outpace FC Cincinnati, who also have 62 points. Should both teams finish level on points, Cincinnati would claim the higher position due to their head-to-head advantage.
Atlanta United (5-16-12, 27 points), who knocked Inter Miami out of last season’s playoffs in the opening round, suffered their third consecutive defeat and remain without a win in their last five outings.
Both squads were impacted by the ongoing FIFA international window, missing several key players. However, Messi’s decision to prioritize club duties has seen him rise to the top of the MLS scoring charts with 26 goals, while his 18 assists tie him with San Diego’s Anders Dreyer for the league lead.
Messi opened the scoring in the 39th minute, expertly controlling a cross from Baltasar Rodriguez before curling a precise shot into the upper far corner, breaking the deadlock. His second goal, which sealed the match in the 87th minute, came courtesy of a slick pass from Alba.
Midway through the second half, in the 52nd minute, Messi orchestrated Miami’s second goal by delivering a perfectly weighted long ball to Alba, who then lobbed the ball over Atlanta’s goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert.
Luis Suarez contributed to the scoreboard in the 61st minute, capitalizing on a high clearance attempt by Atlanta to curl the ball past Hibbert. Goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo earned a clean sheet for Inter Miami with a solid performance between the posts.
Atlanta’s injury woes continued when Stian Gregersen was forced off in the 14th minute with a suspected hamstring injury, compounding the team’s challenges this season.
This match marked Inter Miami’s final regular-season game at Chase Stadium, as the club prepares to move to Miami Freedom Park for the 2026 season.
