Inter Miami won decisively 4-0 against Atlanta United, with Lionel Messi showcasing his exceptional skills. Even at this stage of his career, Messi proves to be a key player, reinforcing his legacy as one of football’s all-time greats.
Messi was rested by Argentina ahead of Miami’s first match in the MLS Cup playoffs. He trained with his national team all week but returned to play for Inter Miami, despite limited practice time with his club teammates.
In the match, Messi not only scored but also provided an assist, which ties him for the league lead in assists alongside San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer. His impact on the game was immediate and significant, further proving his importance in MLS.
With his two goals against Atlanta, Messi has now reached 26 goals in MLS, widening his lead in the Golden Boot race. He is currently two goals ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and remains a front-runner for the Most Valuable Player award. If he succeeds, Messi would be the first player to win MVP in back-to-back seasons.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami.
The record Messi broke with his brace against Atlanta
With his two-goal performance against Atlanta, Messi set a new league record as the first MLS player to achieve nine multi-goal matches in a single season. Remarkably, five of these performances were consecutive, highlighting his consistent excellence.
Messi has now scored 26 goals in 27 league matches and provided 18 assists. As the postseason nears, Miami will rely on Messi for continued standout performances, with his latest achievements ensuring his place in the record books.
Other players who share Messi’s mark
Former LA Galaxy player Zlatan Ibrahimovic achieved eight multi-goal matches in 2019, while Stern John matched this for Columbus Crew in 1998. Mamadou Diallo also reached this milestone with Tampa Bay in 2000, placing Messi among a select group as he continues to set new standards in MLS.