Messi scores twice as Inter Miami beat Atlanta 3-1

Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 3-1 in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The Argentine superstar reached 25 league goals for the season and recorded his 15th assist, becoming the first player in MLS history to register at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons.
Inter Miami took the lead just before half-time when Germán Berterame headed home a cross from Luis Suárez in the 45th minute, with Messi involved in the build-up.
Messi doubled Miami’s advantage in the 56th minute after a neat one-two with Berterame. Four minutes later, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner struck again, converting a pass from Suárez to put the visitors 3-0 ahead.
Atlanta managed a late consolation when Fafà Picault converted a penalty in the 89th minute, but Miami held on for a comfortable victory.
Messi’s 25 goals put him at the top of the MLS scoring charts, while his 15 assists leave him level with Son Heung-min of Los Angeles FC in the assists standings.
Messi won the MLS Golden Boot last season with 29 goals. He and Josef Martínez are the only players in league history to score at least 25 goals in more than one season.
With 40 combined goals and assists this season, Messi is also chasing the MLS single-season record of 49 goal contributions, set by Carlos Vela of Los Angeles FC in 2019. He needs 10 more in Miami’s remaining four matches to surpass that mark.
Returning to club action after the international break, Messi delivered another decisive performance to keep Inter Miami moving forward in the MLS campaign.