The FIFA October international window is currently in progress, during which world champions Argentina are playing two friendly matches within three days. Lionel Messi was in the stands for Argentina’s first match against Venezuela. The reason Inter Miami did not play him immediately after? The Floridian club had a match less than 24 hours after Argentina’s game. When Messi took the field for Miami, he delivered a big performance, scoring two goals to secure a dominant victory.
Despite Messi’s absence, Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0 on Saturday. Both matches involving the Latin American teams took place in Miami, allowing Messi to avoid the fatigue and stress of back-to-back games and travel. In addition to Messi’s brace for Inter Miami, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez also scored in Miami’s 4-0 home win over Atlanta United on Sunday at Chase Stadium.
Inter Miami vs Atlanta United
Messi opened the scoring for Miami in the MLS match, netting his second goal of the game with a left-footed strike in the 39th minute following a pass from Baltasar Rodriguez into the box. Alba, who plans to retire at the end of this season, came on after halftime and scored in the 52nd minute, marking his sixth goal this season. The Spanish defender has accumulated 11 goals and 27 assists in 64 appearances for Miami and was warmly welcomed by the club alongside his family.
Alba’s goal was set up by Messi, who provided his joint highest assist of the season (18th) by delivering a long ball from midfield to extend Miami’s lead to 3-0 in the 61st minute. Suarez, who nearly lost his footing to a floating cross, also contributed, completing his tally of 10 combined goals and assists for the season. Messi scored again in the 87th minute, his shot coming after chesting down a pass from Alba. This marked Messi’s personal best of 26 goals in the current MLS season, surpassing Dennis Buyang, the 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner. Messi’s total contributions for the season reach 44 goals, the second highest overall.
With this win, FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami hold second and third places respectively in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, each with 62 points from 33 matches. Philadelphia Union currently leads the table with 66 points.