Lionel Messi turned a tight game into a rout in four second-half minutes on Saturday night, scoring twice after setting up the opener as Inter Miami cruised to a 3-1 win over Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Miami had to wait until the final minute of the first half to break through, when German Berterame finished a move built by Messi and Luis Suarez for his ninth goal in 26 MLS appearances, as Sportsnet reported. The assist was a landmark in itself: Messi's 15th of the season, drawing him level with LAFC's Son Heung-min at the top of the league's assist charts and making him the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons.
Four Minutes That Ended the Contest
The second half belonged entirely to the 39-year-old. In the 56th minute, Messi exchanged passes with Berterame, dribbled past a defender inside the box and finished with his left foot to double the lead. Four minutes later he was at it again, racing onto a Suarez pass, beating Junior Alonso in a one-on-one and slotting past goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.
The double took Messi to a league-leading 25 goals for the season. He and Josef Martinez are now the only two players in MLS history to score at least 25 goals in a regular season twice — Messi won the Golden Boot last season with 29.
Atlanta, managed by Gerardo Martino, pulled one back in the 89th minute when former Miami forward Fafa Picault converted a penalty, beating Dayne St. Clair, who had made two saves. It was a consolation, nothing more.
The Manager Who Still Cannot Quite Believe It
Miami head coach Christian Gonzalez was left marvelling at his captain again. "He never stops surprising the world," Gonzalez said, via USA Today. "I can't believe that this guy, Leo, does what he does when he's 39 years old. What makes me the most happy is that he's happy."
It is barely a fortnight since Messi played his farewell match for Argentina against Benin at the Monumental, closing his international career. On this evidence, retirement from the national team has only sharpened his focus on the club records still in front of him.
What This Means: The Vela Record Is Now in Sight
The numbers now point at one target. Messi has 40 goal contributions this season — 25 goals and 15 assists — which leaves him nine short of Carlos Vela's MLS record of 49, set with Los Angeles FC in 2019. Miami have four matches remaining, starting away to the New York Red Bulls next Saturday, while Atlanta host Chicago Fire.
Messi needs to average a little over two contributions a game to break a record that has stood for seven years. On Saturday's form — three contributions in one night — that looks less like a stretch and more like a schedule. His form is also the clearest sign yet of the audience growth Messi continues to drive across American soccer: every away stadium he visits becomes an event.
Beyond the Final Whistle: At 39, and with his Argentina story closed, Messi is not winding down — he is hunting the one MLS record that still belongs to somebody else. Vela's 49 was set by a player at his peak; Messi is chasing it down at an age when most forwards are long retired, and with four games to find nine contributions, the smart money says the record falls before the play-offs. Can anyone stop Messi breaking Vela's record this season? Tell us in the comments.