What a night it was at Chase Stadium as Inter Miami CF delivered a resounding 4-0 victory over Atlanta United FC on October 11, 2025, in their final regular season home game—a match that will be remembered for its star-studded performances, historic milestones, and emotional farewells. With the MLS playoffs looming, Miami’s emphatic win not only secured crucial home-field advantage for Round One but also showcased why they’re considered one of the most dangerous sides heading into the postseason.
All eyes were on Lionel Messi, who, after a week of swirling questions about his international availability, returned from Argentina duty to captain Inter Miami in this high-stakes clash. Messi, rested by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for their friendly against Venezuela, was released to play for Miami following a conversation between Scaloni and Miami boss Javier Mascherano. "Yesterday, before the match, I talked to [Argentina manager Lionel] Scaloni, and he said no, that he was not going to use him, that he was going to sit him down. And I spoke to Leo to see if he could play," Mascherano revealed. "It was his decision, and clearly he saw the opportunity that if he wasn't going to play against Venezuela yesterday, we could use him. Leo, of course, was ready to do it."
Messi’s readiness was on full display from the outset. Despite not training with Miami all week, the legendary forward showed no signs of rust. Atlanta United, fielding a young lineup and missing key defensive leader Stian Gregersen after a first-half injury, tried to weather Miami’s early storm. Gregersen’s departure in the 15th minute forced coach Ronny Deila to bring on Sal Mazzaferro for his MLS debut, shifting the defensive dynamic and placing even more pressure on Atlanta’s backline.
Miami’s attack was relentless, and Messi was at the heart of everything. In the 21st minute, he nearly opened the scoring with a left-footed strike from the center of the box, only to be denied by Atlanta’s sensational young goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert. Hibbert, who made a string of remarkable saves throughout the first half—including a close-range stop on Messi in the 13th minute and another on Luis Suárez just before halftime—kept Atlanta in contention early.
But in the 39th minute, the breakthrough came. After a costly turnover in Atlanta’s half, Baltasar Rodríguez found Messi lurking on the right. Messi calmly entered the box and unleashed a trademark curling shot into the upper left corner, notching his 25th goal of the MLS season and giving Miami a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal not only broke Atlanta’s resistance but also propelled Messi to the top of the MLS Golden Boot race, edging ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.
Atlanta nearly responded before halftime, with Leo Afonso forcing a diving save from Miami’s Rocco Ríos Novo in stoppage time, but the Herons held firm. The second half saw Miami shift into an even higher gear. Just seven minutes after the restart, Messi delivered a pinpoint lobbed pass from his own half to Jordi Alba streaking down the left. Alba, who recently announced he will retire at the end of the MLS campaign, made no mistake, chipping Hibbert to double Miami’s lead. The assist marked Messi’s 18th of the season, while Alba’s goal was his sixth—an emotional moment for the Spanish fullback in his final regular season home appearance. "Well, I think I've had a very good career, being in very comfortable teams in all senses," Alba reflected after a post-match video tribute. "This video reflects the truth that the club has been a surprise, nice because I saw several managers of several clubs, some coaches I've had throughout my career, and the truth is that it's been special and, well, proud of everything I've achieved."
Atlanta’s attempts to claw back were stymied by Miami’s clinical counterattacks and tight defensive organization. In the 61st minute, Suárez, who had come close earlier, finally got his goal. After a sequence involving Messi and a headed clearance by Atlanta’s Amador, the ball fell kindly to Suárez, who volleyed home his 10th of the season from just outside the box. Miami’s third goal all but sealed the result, though Atlanta continued to press, with substitute Cayman Togashi and Patrick Weah entering the fray as Deila sought a spark.
The night, however, belonged to Messi. In the 87th minute, Alba returned the favor, sending a lofted ball from deep in his own half that Messi chested down with finesse before slotting a left-footed shot past Hibbert. The goal, Messi’s second of the night and 26th of the season, set a new MLS record for most multi-goal games in a single regular season (nine) and extended his lead in the Golden Boot race. As Mascherano put it, "At this point in his life isn't going to change him too much, but as you can see, if he has it there, he'll try to get it. So welcome, always with a great night for the team, for him, for everyone."
Atlanta United, for their part, showed flashes of quality—especially from Hibbert in goal and young attackers like Chong Qui and Latte Lath—but ultimately couldn’t match Miami’s firepower. The visitors remain 14th in the Eastern Conference with 27 points, facing one last regular season match at home against D.C. United on October 18. For Miami, the win secures third place in the East, level on points with FC Cincinnati and just behind the Philadelphia Union, who have clinched the Supporters’ Shield.
Beyond the goals and milestones, the evening was also a celebration of Miami’s tenure at Chase Stadium, with the club set to move to the new Miami Freedom Park in 2026. The crowd witnessed not only a dominant performance but also heartfelt tributes, with Argentina teammates Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Otamendi, and Giovani Lo Celso cheering from the sidelines and Miami players savoring the moment.
As the regular season draws to a close, Inter Miami’s statement win over Atlanta United sends a clear message to the rest of MLS: with Messi in scintillating form, Alba savoring his final games, and Suárez firing, the Herons are ready for the playoff spotlight. Their next test comes on the road against Nashville SC, but for now, Miami fans can revel in a night that had it all—history, emotion, and world-class soccer under the South Florida lights.
