Overview
- Lionel Messi scored twice and assisted once in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United, securing home-field advantage for Inter Miami in the first playoff round.
- The performance made him the first MLS player to record nine multi-goal games in a single regular season, according to MLS Communications.
- Messi moved atop the Golden Boot race with 26 goals and reached 18 assists, tying for the league lead, with assists serving as the first tiebreaker.
- Argentina rested Messi for the Venezuela friendly, briefly released him to play for Miami, and confirmed he has returned to train ahead of the Puerto Rico match.
- The game marked Miami’s final regular-season home date at Chase Stadium, with a postmatch tribute for retiring Jordi Alba and the club set to move to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.