Lionel Messi continues to post unbelievable numbers even at age 39. The Argentine star scored a brace on Saturday in Inter Miami's 3-1 away victory over Atlanta United, raising his tally to 25 goals this MLS season and strengthening his position at the top of the goalscoring chart.
After German Berterame gave Miami the lead in the 45th minute, Messi took control of the match after the break. In the 56th minute, he cut from the right wing to the center, exchanged passes with Berterame on the edge of the box, bypassed the defender in front of him, and shot with his left foot into the corner. Just four minutes later, the second goal arrived: Luis Suarez sent him forward on a counterattack, Messi again faked out the defender facing him, and once more beat Lucas Hoyos with his left foot.
Fafa Picault pulled a goal back for Atlanta from a late penalty, but the story of the evening was once again Messi. At the end of the match, he already held a six-goal lead in the race for the MLS Golden Boot, while simultaneously leading the assist table jointly with Son Heung-min with 15, after receiving a secondary assist on Miami's first goal.
Messi’s first goal
Rewriting the MLS record book
With this, Messi became the first player in MLS history to record 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. He also recorded a goal involvement in his 13th consecutive match, equaling the second-longest streak of his career in clubs and the national team.
The brace raised Messi's total tally to 936 career goals, and the distance to the 1,000-goal mark has now narrowed to just 64. Miami coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez completely rules out the possibility that the Argentine won't get there, and who knows, perhaps even before a faltering Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi’s second goal
"He never stops amazing the world," Gonzalez said. "It's truly hard for me to believe that at age 39 he is still doing these things. What makes me happiest is seeing that he is truly happy. When he is happy, he gives everything he has. He enjoys it and feels at home."
Regarding the possibility of Messi reaching 1,000 goals, the coach added: "Yes, I believe he will reach it. I have faith in that. I know he will do it because he loves challenges and sets challenges for himself. After he has already achieved almost everything else, this too will be no exception."
Looking ahead to the playoffs
Messi is continuing his hot streak even after retiring from the Argentina national team following the friendly match against Benin earlier this month. Since then, he has scored four goals in three matches for Miami, which has already secured its playoff spot and recorded its third consecutive victory.
The pitch in Atlanta also now holds an additional place in Messi's memory. This was the first time he returned to Mercedes-Benz Stadium since the 2026 World Cup semifinal in July, when he provided two assists in the final minutes and led Argentina to a dramatic victory over England.