playESPNMultiple AuthorsOct 17, 2026, 09:54 PM ETOpen Extended ReactionsLionel Messi scored two trademark second-half solo goals to take his MLS-leading tally to 25 as Inter Miami brushed aside hosts Atlanta United 3-1 on Saturday.After Mexico striker Germ\u00e1n Berterame put Miami ahead in the 45th minute, Messi took center stage after the restart with two goals in four minutes.The first, in the 56th minute, came after Messi drove infield from the right wing and exchanged passes with Berterame on the edge off the penalty area before dancing past a desperate Atlanta defender and firing low into the net.His second was more of the same. This time, Luis Su\u00e1rez sent him free on a breakaway and the Argentine forward again bewitched a hapless defender before once more beating Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos with his left foot.Atlanta got a late consolation goal through a penalty from former Miami forward Faf\u00e0 Picault.”He never ceases to amaze the world,” Miami coach Cristian “Kily” Gonz\u00e1lez said of Messi afterward. “I mean, I honestly can’t believe that a guy like him, at 39 years old, is doing what he’s doing. And what makes me happiest is seeing that he’s truly happy.<\/p>\n
Because he’s happy, he gives everything he has. He enjoys himself and feels right at home.”As I always say, he pushes us to be better every single day. It’s an immense joy to have him here. Everyone knows how special our relationship is.<\/p>\n
Every time I see him, he brings a smile to my face. I’m still constantly amazed by him.”At full time of Saturday’s game, Messi had a six-goal lead in the race for MLS’ Golden Boot and also had the joint-most assists (15), along with LAFC’s Son Heung-Min, having been credited with a secondary assist on Berterame’s opener.Messi is the first player in MLS history to register 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. He now has a goal contribution in 13 straight matches, tying his second-longest streak with club and country in his career.Saturday’s brace also took Messi to 936 career goals, and his coach has no doubts that he can reach the 1,000 milestone.”Yes, I believe he’ll reach 1,000 goals,” Gonz\u00e1lez said. “I have faith in that.<\/p>\n
I know he will, because he loves a challenge, he sets challenges for himself and since he’s already achieved everything else, this will be no exception.”He added: “He dazzles me with every single action, every time I see him in training. I truly hope he continues to amaze us right up until the day he decides to retire, which, hopefully, won’t be for a long time yet.”Messi’s performance Saturday gave the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner another fond memory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game marked Messi’s first visit there since the 2026 World Cup semifinal in July, when he provided two late assists to propel Argentina to a dramatic win over England.Messi has four goals in three games since he bid farewell to the Argentina national team in a friendly against Benin earlier this month.Miami, which clinched a spot in the playoffs Wednesday, has won three straight games and is second in the Eastern Conference behind runaway leader Nashville.Atlanta, under Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Messi’s former coach with Miami and Argentina, is languishing in the 14th spot in the Eastern Conference and facing an uphill battle to make the postseason.Miami will return to action with a visit to the New York Red Bulls next Saturday.ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano contributed to this report.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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