Argentine star Lionel Messi scored two goals within 4 minutes and led Inter Miami to victory over host Atlanta United 3-1, at a time when the team's efforts to defend its title in the American Football League (MLS) are gaining greater momentum as the playoffs approach.
Messi, 39 years old, increased his lead in the scoring charts with 25 goals, ahead of Croatian Petar Musa, FC Dallas striker (20 goals), and Milan Iloski, Philadelphia player (19 goals).
At the same Atlanta stadium that witnessed Messi's brilliance in the North American World Cup, the Argentine star scored two wonderful goals to ensure Inter Miami's third victory in a row.
German Argentine of Mexican origin, German Berterami, who gave the visiting team the lead (45), created the second goal by passing the ball to Messi, who manipulated the Atlanta defense before shooting with his left foot from the heart of the penalty area (56).
Four minutes later, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored his second personal goal and the third for his team, after starting from the middle of the field following a pass from his former Barcelona teammate, the Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. He passed Paraguayan defender Junior Alonso and shot past his compatriot, goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.
Messi raised his score to 4 goals in 3 matches he played since his emotional farewell with the Argentine national team after announcing his international retirement.
The little “flea” had contributed to putting Inter Miami in the lead before the end of the first half, when he passed the ball with his head to Suarez inside the penalty area, and the latter sent it a cross, which Berterami headed into the goal.
Messi was given an assist, equaling South Korean Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC) at the top of the list of players with the most goals.
Messi is the first player in the history of the American League to pass at least 15 decisive balls in 3 consecutive seasons.
Inter Miami, which secured its qualification for the playoffs on Wednesday, also achieved its third successive victory under the leadership of Argentine coach Christian “Kelly” Gonzalez, who took over his technical duties last month.
In the 89th minute, Vava Picoult scored the goal to reduce the difference for Atalanta from a penalty kick, but the team of Argentine coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino was suffering in terms of results. It is located in the penultimate position in the Eastern Region.
St. Louis City's unbeaten streak in the league stopped at 19 matches, after losing to host Minnesota 2-3.
St. Louis City, second in the Western Conference and ensuring its qualification for the playoffs for the first time since 2023, missed the opportunity to hold the record for the longest unbeaten series of matches in the league, which it now shares with the Columbus, Dallas, and Inter Miami clubs.
St. Louis City's record streak of 21 consecutive matches without defeat in all competitions was also halted.
St. Louis City has not tasted loss in the league since its defeat against Austin 0-2 on May 3, during which it achieved 13 victories and 6 draws.
On the other hand, Philadelphia, sixth in the Eastern Conference, continued its unbeaten series of matches to reach 15, after drawing with its guest Charlotte FC 2-2.
Philadelphia achieved 8 consecutive victories in the league before settling for a draw.
Since its loss to Inter Miami 4-6 on May 24, Philadelphia has achieved 12 wins and 3 draws, earning 39 points out of a possible 45, since Ryan Richter took over the responsibility of coaching the team as interim coach during the hiatus that coincided with the World Cup.
Frenchman Antoine Griezmann once again imposed himself as the star of his team, Orlando City, by scoring two goals and passing a decisive ball, in the victory over its guest, DC United, 4-1.
With this win, which was No. 12 in 30 games this season, Orlando maintained its chances in the race to qualify for the “playoff” by occupying seventh place in the Eastern Conference, knowing that the top 7 teams qualify directly.
