The second came almost immediately after, in the 60th minute, on a great counterattack engineered by Luis Suarez. Suarez crossed the ball to his longtime teammate, and Messi finished with his left foot inside the goalkeeper’s right post to extend the lead.

Lionel Messi delivered another performance for the history books. With his brace, the Argentine captain led Inter Miami to a 3-0 victory, scoring the final two goals of the match in quick succession.

Records achieved vs Atlanta United

Messi tied Los Angeles FC’s Son Heung-min for the league lead with his 15th assist, becoming the first player in league history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. He provided the assist to German Berterame on the opening goal.

Messi then added his league-leading 24th and 25th goals of the MLS season. Berterame assisted on both scores, and Luis Suarez snagged an assist on Messi’s second goal. The performance keeps Messi firmly at the top of the league’s goal-scoring leaderboard.

Messi won the Golden Boot Award last season with 29 goals. He and Josef Martinez are the only players in league history to score at least 25 goals in a regular season twice. Messi’s 40 goal contributions are nine shy of Carlos Vela’s record set in 2019 with Los Angeles FC, and the Miami legend has four matches remaining to break it.

The road to 936 Goals

The numerical impact of Messi’s career is split between the national team and the clubs where he has left his mark. Reaching the 936-goal milestone following the clash against Atlanta United reflects an unprecedented level of consistency within the sport’s elite.

• Club goals: Barcelona (672), Paris Saint-Germain (32), and Inter Miami (106).
• Argentina National Team goals: 126 official goals.
• Total assists: 427 distributed across a 22-year career.
• Total contributions: 1,363 direct goal involvements in just over 1,180 matches

Key takeaways

• Lionel Messi’s brace led Inter Miami to a 3-0 victory over Atlanta United.
• A 15th assist tied Lionel Messi with Son Heung-min for the MLS lead.
• 936 career goals were reached by Lionel Messi following the clash against Atlanta United.

How to watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami in the USA

In the United States, the Atlanta United vs Inter Miami match will be available to stream live on Apple TV, which carries every MLS game during the 2026 season.

Can I watch Atlanta United vs Inter Miami for free?

Apple TV‘s MLS page advertises a seven-day trial followed by a paid subscription, allowing eligible new subscribers to access MLS coverage during the trial period.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Atlanta United welcome Inter Miami to Mercedes-Benz Stadium with contrasting objectives as the 2026 MLS regular season approaches its conclusion. Inter Miami have already secured a place in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, while Atlanta remain under pressure to climb the Eastern Conference standings and keep their postseason hopes alive.

Inter Miami enter the game after a 2-0 victory over New York City FC on October 14, a result that officially secured their playoff berth. German Berterame and Rodrigo De Paul scored in the first half, while goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair recorded another clean sheet. The reigning MLS Cup champions are now looking to build momentum for their title defense and improve their position ahead of the postseason.

Lionel Messi remains central to Miami’s ambitions. The Argentine star leads the league in goal contributions, with 23 goals and 14 assists, and is pursuing a third consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. His combination with Luis Suarez, De Paul and Berterame gives Inter Miami multiple attacking threats capable of troubling Atlanta’s defense.

Atlanta, meanwhile, need points to close the gap on the Eastern Conference playoff places. They head into the match after a 3-0 away victory over CF Montreal on October 14, a result that offered a timely boost after a difficult run of results. Aleksey Miranchuk and Miguel Almiron will be important attacking figures as the hosts attempt to take advantage of home-field support.

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami: Predicted Lineups

Atlanta United (4-1-4-1): Lucas Hoyos; Elias Baez, Junior Alonso, Paulo Diaz, Matthew Edwards; Mauricio Amaro; Giuliano Galoppo, Miguel Almiron, Aleksei Miranchuk, Ajani Fortune; Breel Embolo.

Inter Miami (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair; Sergio Reguilon, Micael, Casemiro, Gonzalo Lujan; Matias Galarza, David Ayala, Rodrigo De Paul; German Berterame, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi.

What time is the Atlanta United vs Inter Miami match?

Atlanta United vs Inter Miami kicks off on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. For viewers across the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
• Central Time: 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

Messi went over to the Atlanta United bench before kickoff to hug Martino, who eventually approached Suarez on the Inter Miami bench to exchange another hug after the final whistle.

“Well, for me, it was a really nice chapter that we experienced here in Miami,” Martino said postgame in response to Bolavip. “We were able to accomplish some of the first important things for the club. They’re two great figures, two great soccer players.

“But beyond that, what I’ll take away is the relationship we built and the fact that I was able to play a small part in their careers. Obviously, I spent more time with Leo and less time with Luis, but we built a great relationship, and the greeting with both of them was simply a reflection of that.”

Messi and Suarez’s experience with Martino in Miami

Both Messi and Suarez enjoyed a fruitful stint under Martino at Inter Miami. The Argentine star arrived first and, with Tata as his coach, led the Herons to immediate success at the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club’s first major trophy.

The Uruguayan striker arrived for the 2024 season, helping Messi and Martino lead Inter Miami to an MLS record 74-point regular season to secure the MLS Supporters’ Shield. They couldn’t translate that success into the postseason though, as Atlanta United knocked them out in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Either way, all three had a wonderful time together in South Florida.

Martino had already worked with Messi at Barcelona (2013-14) before overlapping with him on the Argentine national team (2014-16), so they already had a well-established relationship before reuniting in Miami. But Martino and Suarez got to spend enough time together to develop a genuine bond, which made Saturday’s game even more special.

Miguel Almiron praises Messi after signs of mutual respect

Though not a former teammate, Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron also hugged Messi before and after the game. When asked about it by Bolavip, the Paraguay international made sure to show his respect for the Argentine legend.

“I have a lot of respect for Leo,” Almiron said. “I think everyone admires him for who he is, both as a player and as a person. I admire his game and the way he continues to make history.”

Silvetti suffered shoulder discomfort once again and had to leave the match between Inter Miami and Atlanta United just six minutes after coming on. The Argentine had returned to action following an injury that had kept him off the pitch.

He suffered a left shoulder dislocation during the match against Atletico San Luis in the Leagues Cup. After a recovery period, he returned to group training a few days ago and earned the opportunity to log minutes in MLS.

Silvetti replaces Luis Suarez and exits six minutes later

Silvetti entered in the 39th minute of the second half to replace Luis Suarez and appeared to have the chance to get back to playing. However, his return proved short-lived.

Just six minutes later, the Argentine felt pain in his shoulder once again and had to leave the pitch for Inter Miami. His place was taken by Daniel Pinter, leaving Silvetti with renewed concern over another issue in the same area.

Silvetti initially suffered a dislocated left shoulder in early August. The forward entered a recovery process following the injury and has finally stepped back onto the pitch.

Inter Miami drop key points

The Herons had the perfect opportunity to pick up points after Nashville drew 0-0 against New York City, halting their winning streak. It was Inter Miami’s chance to close the gap, but following the draw, Nashville remained at 53 points while Inter Miami sat at 43 — 10 points behind.

The weather protocol is very clear in these cases — a rule that was even implemented in the 2026 World Cup — triggering immediately whenever lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius (approximately 13 kilometers) around the stadium.

To give an idea of how long it can take, a 30-minute countdown timer begins. Every time a new lightning strike occurs within the 8-mile radius, the wait time resets completely to 30 minutes. The match cannot resume until 30 continuous minutes pass without electrical activity in the area.

The most impacted matches by weather delays in MLS

Among the most extreme and memorable cases of severe weather disruptions in MLS history is Real Salt Lake vs. LAFC (March 2024): A match that suffered multiple interruptions almost immediately after kickoff due to an extreme combination of winds, nearby electrical strikes, and an intense snowstorm accumulating on the pitch at America First Field, forcing constant temporary suspensions.

Another case is LA Galaxy vs. LAFC (2023). The highly anticipated Los Angeles derby, set to break attendance records at the Rose Bowl, had to be postponed entirely before kickoff due to a severe weather alert and dangerous thunderstorms in the area.

Inter Miami and their most affected matches

Inter Miami have experienced several notable weather delay episodes due to frequent thunderstorms in Florida, but among the most memorable is Inter Miami vs Orlando City (Leagues Cup 2023). This Clasico del Sol suffered one of the most severe and chaotic initial delays.

Kickoff was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET, but a heavy downpour with electrical activity over DRV PNK Stadium forced the match to be delayed by more than two and a half hours, finally starting at 10:35 p.m.

And a very recent one also in the Leagues Cup: Inter Miami vs Atletico de San Luis (Leagues Cup 2026). Unlike other delays that occur before kickoff, this game at Nu Stadium suffered a direct interruption mid-match. In the 68th minute, while Inter Miami were leading 4-2 (with a brace from Lionel Messi), lightning strikes forced play to be stopped.

Inter Miami are coming off the debut of a new head coach last matchday against Montreal, handing them an historic 7-1 blowout at Nu Stadium in Kily Gonzalez’s first game on the bench.

Atlanta United sit 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference and are coming off a 2-0 loss to Charlotte. They will look to pick up valuable points against the second-place side, who also need the points to catch Nashville.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup

The pink side will look to capitalize on home-field advantage to secure three key points in the fight to stay at the top of the Eastern Conference. With Messi as the main attacking weapon, the Herons face a consistently demanding opponent looking to pull off a road upset.

Inter Miami confirmed lineup: Dayne St. Clair; Fricio Caicedo, Maximiliano Falcon, Casemiro, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; German Berterame, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi.

Atlanta United confirmed lineup

Gerardo “Tata” Martino will manage Atlanta United from the opposing bench and face Lionel Messi once again in an official match. The coach previously managed Messi with the Argentina national team and during his time at Inter Miami. The match will feature a reunion between the two, this time with Martino leading the visiting team.

Atlanta confirmed lineup: Lucas Hoyos; Elias Baez, Junior Alonso, Paulo Diaz, Tomas Jacob; Aleksey Miranchuk, William Reilly, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez; Miguel Almiron, and Breel Embolo.

How to watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United in the USA

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United will be available live on Apple TV in the United States. The 2026 MLS media-rights arrangement makes every regular-season match available through a subscription, with no separate MLS Season Pass required.

Can I watch Inter Miami vs Atlanta United for free?

Apple TV currently offers a 7-day free trial for MLS, meaning eligible new subscribers can use the trial to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United without paying during the trial period.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Inter Miami return to MLS action on September 5, and the timing could hardly be more interesting. The Herons are coming off their biggest regular-season win in club history, a 7-1 demolition of CF MontrEal, in which Lionel Messi scored four times and added an assist. The result ended a five-game winless run across all competitions and earned Messi another MLS Player of the Matchday award.

That performance changed the mood around Miami, but the challenge now is to turn one spectacular night into sustained momentum. Messi leads the MLS scoring race with 18 goals, and Inter Miami’s attack has become the centerpiece of their push near the top of the Eastern Conference.

With the regular season entering its decisive stretch, another home victory would be valuable as the Herons look to secure a strong playoff position and keep their hopes of another MLS title alive.

Atlanta United arrive in a very different situation. The Five Stripes are trying to recover from a difficult campaign and will face one of the league’s most dangerous attacks on the road.

The matchup also carries an additional storyline because Gerardo “Tata” Martino is back in charge of Atlanta after previously leading the club to its historic 2018 MLS Cup title. Martino knows Inter Miami particularly well from his time coaching the Herons alongside Messi.

Inter Miami vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Inter Miami (4-3-3): Dayne St. Clair; Noah Allen, Maximiliano Falcon, Casemiro, Ian Fray; Telasco Segovia, Yannick Bright, Rodrigo De Paul; German Berterame, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi.

Atlanta United (4-3-1-2): Lucas Hoyos; Enea Mihaj, Junior Alonso, Paulo Diaz, Tomas Jacob; Will Reilly, Tristan Muyumba, Cooper Sanchez; Aleksei Miranchuk; Miguel Almiron, Fafa Picault.

What time is the Inter Miami vs Atlanta United match?

The Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United match kicks off on Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 PM ET at Nu Stadium. Major League Soccer and Inter Miami’s official schedule both confirm the 7:30 PM ET start time.

• Eastern Time: 7:30 PM
• Central Time: 6:30 PM
• Mountain Time: 5:30 PM
• Pacific Time: 4:30 PM

The MLS regular season is entering a crucial stage, and the South Florida side cannot afford to let any more opportunities slip away if it wants to keep pace with Nashville SC, the conference’s sole leaders. Their latest 7-1 thrashing of CF Montreal, with Messi scoring four goals, left a very positive impression of Inter Miami.

This is the starting XI expected to take the field at Nu Stadium: Dayne St. Clair; Ian Fray, Casemiro, Maximiliano Falcon, Facundo Mura; Rodrigo De Paul, Yannick Bright, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi (C), German Berterame, Luis Suarez.

Messi looks to stay among the top scorers

Years and seasons go by, yet Lionel Messi continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in history. This campaign is no exception, as the Argentine superstar remains the league’s leading scorer so far this season.

Having played 22 matches in the regular season, Messi has scored 18 goals so far, while also providing nine assists. His closest challenger in the scoring charts is FC Dallas’ Petar Musa, with 16 goals, while New York City FC’s Nicolas Fernandez Mercau rounds out the top three with 14.

What’s next for the Herons?

The matchup against Atlanta United will be a tough test for a team looking to overtake Nashville SC at the top of the standings. If the Herons want to remain in contention for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, they will have to overcome these difficult challenges lying ahead:

• at Chicago Fire, September 9 (Soldier Field)
• vs Nashville SC, September 12
• vs San Diego FC, September 20
• at Columbus Crew, September 27
• vs DC United, October 10

How to watch Charlotte vs Atlanta United in the USA

Fans across the United States will have multiple options to watch this exciting match live, with several platforms offering complete coverage of the action from start to finish.

The game will be available on Apple TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, and Hulu + Live TV, with FS1 and FOX Deportes airing the TV broadcast.

Can I watch Charlotte vs Atlanta United for free?

Fans in the United States can stream the game live on Fubo (free five-day trial) or Apple TV (free seven-day trial for eligible users).

Available nationwide, both streaming services provide complete coverage of the action, from the opening kick until the match comes to an end.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Charlotte FC and Atlanta United meet in a key Eastern Conference showdown with valuable points on the line. Atlanta has managed just 11 points this season and sits near the bottom of the standings, making a win essential to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Charlotte, meanwhile, holds a postseason spot with 21 points but remains under pressure from several teams close behind, leaving little room for mistakes. With plenty at stake for both sides, this rivalry is one you won’t want to miss.

Charlotte vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Charlotte (4-2-3-1): Kristijan Kahlina; Nathan Byrne Cleary, Idan Toklomati Agyemang, Henry Kessler, Andrew Privett; Ashley Westwood, Djibril Diani; Kerwin Vargas, Pep Biel, Wilfried Zaha; Idan Toklomati.

Atlanta United (5-4-1): Ethan Hoyos; Matthew Edwards, Noah Jacob, Enea Mihaj, Ronald Baez; Tristan Muyumba; Luke Brennan, Edwin Mosquera Sanchez, Ajani Fortune, Xande Silva Lobjanidze; Aleksei Miranchuk.

What time is the Charlotte vs Atlanta United match?

The match kicks off today, July 22, at 8:15 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 8:15 PM
Central Time: 7:15 PM
Mountain Time: 6:15 PM
Pacific Time: 5:15 PM

How to watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United in the USA

Apple TV will be the exclusive home for fans eager to watch this marquee showdown live from beginning to end.

This matchup will stream live only on Apple TV, where exclusive coverage brings every moment from kickoff to the final whistle.

Can I watch Nashville SC vs Atlanta United for free?

Viewers across the United States can watch this match live on Apple TV, which is offering a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

The offer lets viewers enjoy the match at no initial cost before deciding whether to continue with a subscription after the free trial ends.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

With Atlanta United sitting near the bottom of the Eastern Conference on just 11 points, Nashville SC has a prime opportunity to strengthen its position at the top of the table.

However, with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami applying pressure in the race for first place, Nashville know every point is crucial.

Atlanta will be desperate to spring a surprise and revive its season, adding even more intensity to this Eastern Conference showdown. Be sure to tune in and catch every minute of the action.

Nashville SC vs Atlanta United: Predicted Lineups

Nashville SC (4-3-3): Schwake; Najar, Palacios, Woledzi, Lovitz; Espinoza, Corcoran, Tagseth; Mukhtar, Surridge, Qasem.

Atlanta United (4-1-4-1): Hoyos; Jacob, Gregersen, Mihaj, Baez; Muyumba; Miranchuk, Fortune, Sanchez, Galarza; Latte Lath.

What time is the Nashville SC vs Atlanta United match?

The match kicks off today, July 17, at 8:10 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 8:10 PM
Central Time: 7:10 PM
Mountain Time: 6:10 PM
Pacific Time: 5:10 PM

Bolavip got to ask Martino about the possibility of a reunion in Atlanta following his team’s 2-0 loss to Columbus Crew on Sunday.

“The truth is that I have a lot of affection for the group we worked with in Atlanta during 2017-18. Probably every player from that era who’s still active is something to watch, to pay attention to,” Martino responded to Bolavip during his postgame media availability.

“We haven’t sat down with the front office yet to know in which situation we find ourselves in. It’s a position where we already have Emmanuel Latte Lath as DP, we have other strikers in Cayman (Togashi) and Sergio Santos, and I also use Aleksei Miranchuk as striker,” added Martino, who left the door open for Martinez despite Atlanta’s current situation.

“Therefore, it’s a position that is already crowded with players, and today I shouldn’t have a positive answer. But well, I won’t rule it out because Josef is a natural-born goalscorer. He’s a player I know well and he’s active in an important league like the Mexican league.“

Josef Martinez reportedly hitting free agency

Earlier in the week, Felipe Cardenas of The Athletic reported that the Venezuelan striker has mutually parted ways with Liga MX side Club Tijuana, adding that Martinez would welcome a return to MLS.

Martinez, who turned 33 on May 19, has recorded only one goal in 9 appearances (one start) since moving to Mexico in January. That may explain why he could become a free agent during the upcoming World Cup break.

Martino, Atlanta have great memories of Josef Martinez

The Venezuelan’s connection with Martino and Atlanta may matter more than his recent numbers. Martinez played an instrumental role in the team’s 2018 MLS Cup win under Tata, winning both MLS MVP and Golden Boot with 35 goals in 38 games.

Martinez left an indelible mark in Atlanta, ending a five-year stint in 2022 with 111 goals in 158 appearances. He stayed in MLS, playing for Inter Miami (2023), CF Montreal (2024), and San Jose Earthquakes (2025) before trying his luck in Liga MX, but none of those teams saw him at his best like Atlanta did. Now it could be a good moment for one last dance.