Messi leads Inter Miami to victory with a brace
The Argentinian star Lionel Messi shone with a brace in Inter Miami’s resounding 4-0 victory over Atlanta United FC. The match, played at Chase Stadium, featured the outstanding participation of Messi, who temporarily returned from his international commitments to support his team in a crucial regular season MLS match.
Despite having been called up by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni for the October friendlies against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, Messi chose to play with Inter Miami in the last match of the regular season at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano explained Messi’s situation: “I spoke with Scaloni, and he told me he was going to release him, that he wasn’t going to use him. I spoke with Leo so he would play today; there’s not much more to it than that. He didn’t intend to play yesterday; he wanted to see something else. As the coach said, it was his decision.”
Mascherano added: “We clearly saw the opportunity to use him, as he didn’t play yesterday against Venezuela. Leo was also clearly willing to do it, although he trained all week with the national team. We know he is a totally special player; he is unique, and for us, clearly, although he didn’t train with us, well, we saw what he did today. So he helped us win. He scored, which was also important for him.”
Messi opened the scoring with a great goal that went into the upper left corner, adding his 25th goal of the season. Subsequently, he assisted his teammate Jordi Alba for the second goal of the match.
Alba, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2025 MLS season, received an emotional tribute after the match. “I think I’ve had a very good career, being on very comfortable teams in every way,” Alba commented. “This video reflects the truth, that the club has been a pleasant surprise because I saw several directors from various clubs, some coaches I’ve had throughout my career, and the truth is that it has been special and, well, proud of everything I have achieved.”
Luis Suárez also made his presence known on the scoreboard, scoring Inter Miami’s third goal with a spectacular volley. Messi closed out the rout with his second goal of the night, reaching 26 goals for the season and surpassing Denis Bouanga in the race for the MLS Golden Boot.
Mascherano commented on the possibility of Messi winning the Golden Boot: “At this stage of his life, it won’t change much for him. But as you can see, if he has it there, he will try to get it. So welcome, always with a great night for the team, for him, for everyone.”
Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate in the Argentinian national team, celebrated the goals from the bench alongside Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Otamendi and Giovani Lo Celso.
Telasco Segovia, Noah Allen, Ian Fray, and Mateo Silvetti also missed the match due to their international commitments.
Messi could rejoin the Argentinian national team for Tuesday’s friendly against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, with Scaloni hoping for his participation.
The Inter Miami is tied for second place in the table with FC Cincinnati, awaiting the last match of the regular season. Next Saturday, Inter Miami will face Nashville, while Cincinnati will play against Montreal. Philadelphia Union has already secured first place and the Supporters’ Shield.
