Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Lionel Messi netted two goals and assisted as Inter Miami defeated Atlanta United 4-0 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale. He left international duty with the Argentina team to help the club secure three crucial points.
Though he was called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for the two friendly games against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in the October FIFA window. But Messi instead opted to play for Miami in a regular Major League Soccer (MLS) match at Chase Stadium.
Messi scored the opening goal of the match, curling the ball into the top left corner for his 25th of the season. He later set up Jordi Alba for the second goal of the match, as the defender looped a shot over the head of Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert in his last MLS season home game.
Luis Suárez scored Miami's third goal of the night in the 61st minute of the match with a stunning right-footed strike from the top of the penalty area, and Messi netted his second in the 87th minute to finish off the scoring.
Messi's two goals put him on 26 for the ongoing season, which is two ahead of LAFC striker Denis Bouanga in the race for the league's Golden Boot.
Inter Miami is currently tied on points in second place with FC Cincinnati, going into the final Day next weekend. Miami will face Nashville, while Cincinnati will take on Montreal. The Philadelphia Union have secured first place in the East as well as the Supporters' Shield for the most points in the MLS regular season.
Messi could rejoin the Argentina team for the upcoming friendly match against Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, with Scaloni remaining hopeful of his participation in the game.
"Let's hope Messi can be there on Tuesday. We'll see how things unfold in the coming days," Scaloni said on Friday.
Argentina have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament takes place across three host nations - USA, Canada and Mexico - from June 11 to July 19.
