Messi Brace Fires Inter Miami to 3-1 Win at Atlanta United
Lionel Messi’s brace fired Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory at Atlanta United on Saturday, as the Herons’ MLS title defence continued to gather pace with the playoffs approaching.
The 39-year-old now tops the Major League Soccer scoring chart with 25 goals, six clear of FC Dallas striker Petar Musa and Philadelphia’s Milan Iloski.
Inside Messi’s brace at Atlanta United
German Berterame had put Miami ahead in the 45th minute, nodding home after Messi headed the ball to Luis Suarez, who lofted a pass across the box. The opener capped a first half in which Messi pulled the strings.
Eleven minutes after the restart, Berterame turned provider. He found Messi, who weaved through the Atlanta defence and unleashed a left-footed shot from the centre of the box to make it 2-0 in the 56th minute.
Four minutes later Messi struck again. Released by a Suarez pass, he got the better of Junior Alonso and fired past Atlanta keeper Lucas Hoyos. Fafa Picault converted an 89th-minute penalty to pull one back for the hosts, but the contest was long decided.
It was Miami’s third straight victory under Cristian “Kily” Gonzalez, who took charge last month. Messi now has four goals in three matches since his emotional farewell to international football with Argentina.
Records keep tumbling
The assist for Berterame’s opener carried its own milestone. Messi was credited with the assist, which pulled him level with LAFC’s Son Heung-min at the top of the assists table. He is now the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three straight seasons.
With 25 goals and 15 assists, Messi has 40 goal contributions this season. That puts him within nine of the single-season record of 49 set by Carlos Vela with LAFC in 2019, with four regular-season games left to play. He and former Atlanta striker Josef Martinez are the only players to score 25 or more in a regular season twice.
His form has him in pole position for a historic third straight MLS Most Valuable Player award, which would make him the first player to win the honour three times. He is also chasing a second consecutive Golden Boot.
Miami, the defending MLS Cup champions, clinched their playoff berth on Wednesday and sit second in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta, coached by Gerardo Martino, are second from bottom and running out of time to reach the postseason.
Elsewhere in MLS
St. Louis City’s MLS record-tying 19-match unbeaten streak ended with a 3-2 loss at Minnesota United. Marcus Caldeira scored the winner in the 86th minute after St. Louis had led through Rafael Navarro and Jeong Sang-bin. Aziel Jackson and Kelvin Yeboah had brought Minnesota level.
Philadelphia’s undefeated run stretched to 15 matches with a 2-2 draw against Charlotte, ending the Union’s eight-game winning streak. Since losing 6-4 at Miami on May 24, Philadelphia have taken 39 of a possible 45 points.
FAQ
How many goals did Messi score against Atlanta United?
Messi scored twice in four minutes, in the 56th and 60th minutes, as Inter Miami won 3-1 at Atlanta United on October 17, 2026.
What MLS record did Messi set?
He became the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three straight seasons, drawing level with LAFC’s Son Heung-min at the top of this season’s assists table.
How many goals does Messi have this season?
Messi leads the MLS scoring chart with 25 goals, six ahead of Petar Musa and Milan Iloski. With 15 assists, his 40 goal contributions leave him nine short of Carlos Vela’s single-season record of 49.
Where do Inter Miami stand in the table?
Miami are second in the Eastern Conference and have already clinched a place in the 2026 MLS Cup playoffs as the defending champions.
