The atmosphere at DRV PNK Stadium was nothing short of electric as Inter Miami delivered a resounding 4-0 win over Atlanta United, a result that not only clinched home-field advantage for the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs but also further solidified Lionel Messi’s legendary status in Major League Soccer. With this victory on October 11, 2025, the Herons continued their remarkable run in the Eastern Conference, matching FC Cincinnati with 62 points and keeping the battle for second place alive as the regular season nears its dramatic conclusion.
Messi, at 38 years old, continues to defy the odds and rewrite the record books. On a night that saw Miami dominate from start to finish, Messi scored in both halves—first in the 39th minute off a sharp pass from Baltasar Rodríguez, then again in the 81st minute with an assist from Jordi Alba. The Argentine maestro also registered his 18th assist of the season, tying him with San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer for the league lead. His influence was immediate and decisive, as he orchestrated play and powered Miami’s attack with his trademark vision and composure.
"Messi’s brace against Atlanta pushed his total to 26 goals in MLS, extending his lead in the Golden Boot race," reported MLS Communications. He now sits two goals ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and three ahead of Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, with one match left in the regular season. The race for the Golden Boot remains fierce, but Messi’s consistency and ability to deliver in big moments have made him the clear frontrunner. If he holds on, this would mark his first MLS Golden Boot—a remarkable achievement in just his second season in the league.
Jordi Alba, who has announced he will retire at the end of the season, provided one of the match’s most emotional moments. The 36-year-old defender scored Miami’s second goal in the 52nd minute—his sixth of the season—after a flowing move that saw Messi notch his record-tying 18th assist. The club honored Alba with a post-match ceremony, celebrating his 11 goals and 27 assists in 64 appearances for the Herons. With Sergio Busquets also playing his final matches, head coach Javier Mascherano is determined to maximize the contributions of these veterans alongside Messi, hoping their experience will propel Miami deep into the playoffs.
"With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba playing their final games, Javier Mascherano intends to maximize their minutes alongside Lionel Messi in pursuit of the MLS Cup," noted a team source. The sense of urgency was palpable, as Miami’s core of former Barcelona stars seeks to cap their American adventure with silverware.
The supporting cast stepped up as well. Luis Suárez found the net in the 61st minute, his 10th goal of the campaign, and added to his tally of 10 assists. Rocco Ríos Novo, in just his sixth start of the season, made three saves to secure his third clean sheet, providing a steady presence between the posts. On the defensive end, Maximiliano Falcon and Gonzalo Lujan have emerged as Miami’s most reliable center-back pairing, while Noah Allen and Ian Fray have shown their readiness to step up as the postseason looms.
For Atlanta United, the night was a tough one. Jayden Hibbert, making his eighth career start, was called into action early and often, recording six saves—including three in the opening 21 minutes to keep the match scoreless through the early stages. But the relentless Miami attack eventually broke through, and Atlanta struggled to recover. With one match remaining, Atlanta will finish their season against D.C. United, fighting to avoid last place in the Eastern Conference.
Messi’s two-goal performance against Atlanta was historic for more reasons than one. According to MLS Communications, "Lionel Messi became the first MLS player to record nine multi-goal matches in a single season." Five of those came in consecutive games, underlining a level of dominance rarely seen in the league. Only Zlatan Ibrahimovic (eight in 2019), Stern John (eight in 1998), and Mamadou Diallo (eight in 2000) have come close, but Messi stands alone at the top.
His 44 goal contributions (26 goals, 18 assists) this season are the second most in MLS history, trailing only Carlos Vela’s 49 in 2019. The numbers are staggering: 26 goals in 27 league appearances, and 18 assists—tying him for the league lead. Messi’s impact has been both immediate and sustained, raising the level of play for his teammates and drawing new fans to the league. Miami’s attack is the most potent in the conference, and Messi’s leadership has been a key driver of their ascent.
"Messi remains as influential and dominant as ever, leaving no doubt about his status as one of the game’s all-time greats," wrote one reporter. Even after being rested by Argentina ahead of the playoffs, Messi returned to Miami with little time to train but wasted no time making his presence felt. His chemistry with Alba and Suárez, forged over years at Barcelona, has given Miami a unique edge in crucial moments.
With the regular season finale set for October 18 against Nashville SC, Inter Miami will look to maintain their momentum. The Herons have already secured home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs, but the battle for second place with FC Cincinnati remains unresolved. As the postseason approaches, Miami’s hopes rest squarely on Messi’s shoulders. The Argentine star’s ability to produce moments of magic has become the team’s trademark, and fans are eager to see if he can deliver once more when the stakes are highest.
For Messi, this season has been about more than personal accolades. He’s elevated those around him, inspired a city, and pushed the boundaries of what’s possible for a player in the twilight of his career. The playoffs beckon, and with Messi in this kind of form, anything seems possible for Inter Miami.
As the regular season draws to a close, all eyes will be on Miami and their iconic number 10. The Herons are peaking at the right time, and with Messi leading the charge, the dream of lifting their first MLS Cup feels closer than ever.
