Lionel Messi delivered yet another masterclass, scoring twice and assisting once as Inter Miami stormed to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer (MLS) action.
Messi opened the scoring in the 39th minute after a clever exchange with Baltasar Rodriguez, curling a precise left-footed strike into the far corner from inside the box. His brilliance continued into the second half when Jordi Alba made it 2-0, finishing off Messi’s inch-perfect diagonal pass with a deft lob over goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert.
Luis Suarez added to Atlanta’s misery with a thunderous long-range volley, capitalizing on a poor defensive clearance. Moments later, Messi capped off his sensational performance by chest-controlling Alba’s cross and firing a low shot past Hibbert for his second goal of the night.
With this performance, Messi now boasts 26 goals and 18 assists in just 27 MLS appearances this season, underlining his unmatched influence and consistency at 38 years old. The Argentine star continues to inspire Inter Miami’s title push and has proven crucial in their late-season form.
The emphatic win keeps Inter Miami on 62 points from 33 games, just four points behind Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Atlanta United remains 14th in the 15-team table, struggling to find form as the season nears its end.