Messi Scores Twice, Reaches 25 as Miami Win 3-1 at Atlanta — SkimNews
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- Lionel Messi scored twice in the second half (56th minute and ~60th) after Germán Berterame opened the scoring in the 45th minute, sealing Inter Miami's 3-1 win at Atlanta United on Saturday.
- Messi now leads the MLS Golden Boot race with 25 goals, six clear of the next contender, and is tied with LAFC's Son Heung-Min for the league's most assists at 15.
- Messi became the first player in MLS history to register 15 assists in three consecutive seasons and has now recorded a goal contribution in 13 straight matches.
- Inter Miami clinched a playoff spot midweek, have won three straight games under new coach Cristian "Kily" González, and sit second in the Eastern Conference behind runaway leader Nashville.
- Atlanta United, under Gerardo "Tata" Martino, managed only a late consolation penalty from former Miami forward Fafà Picault and sit 14th in the East, facing an uphill battle for the postseason.
- Messi has four goals in three games since bidding farewell to Argentina's national team earlier this month in a friendly against Benin, and Saturday's match was his first at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since assisting twice in Argentina's 2026 World Cup semifinal win over England.
Why it matters: Messi's 25-goal, 15-assist season is breaking MLS records — he's the first player ever to post 15 assists in three consecutive seasons — while Miami, under new coach González, have clinched a playoff berth and are chasing Nashville atop the Eastern Conference.
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