Atlanta disappointed in the first round of last season’s playoffs, eliminated Inter Miami and crushed their title dreams. That’s why Lionel Messi and his teammates had extra motivation in the fourth round of the MLS, playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of around 70,000 home fans. They wanted revenge—and they served it to the 2018 North American elite champions with a 1-2 victory.Big win on the road. VAMOS MIAMI 👊 pic.twitter.com/RzHrRvNm3z— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 17, 2025 Miguel Almiron delivered a brilliant through ball, Brooks Lennon lofted a perfect cross to the far post, provoking a towering header from the former Middlesbrough striker. Atlanta took the lead in the 11th minute, but that only awakened the beast in Lionel Messi.The legendary Argentine pressed high, stole the ball, and reminded everyone that magic knows no age. A smooth dribble followed by a delicate lob sealed his first MLS GOAL of the season.☝️🐐☝️ pic.twitter.com/XUe8EX9emA— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 16, 2025 Messi had opened the campaign with two assists in the first-round draw against New York City (2-2), then rested against Houston and remained on the bench against Charlotte before finally opening his MLS goal tally last night. Before that, he had already scored three times in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.That makes it Messi’s fourth goal in 2025, his 38th for Inter Miami, the 742nd in his club career, and the 854th in senior football! For comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo has 928, but that’s just one metric in the eternal debate over the greatest of all time.At the same time, most would agree that what happens in Saudi Arabia and the United States doesn’t have a huge impact on the GOAT argument.The 🐐 receives his first #IconOfTheMatch of the season 🏆 @RoyalCaribbean pic.twitter.com/B6QGrOwtJ2— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) March 17, 2025 Nonetheless, Atlanta held on in the second half. Although they survived Messi’s strike in the 55th minute, they couldn’t avoid their second defeat in the opening four matches.It was Jordi Alba, the provider, and Haiti’s Fafa Picault, the scorer, who ensured last season’s executioner remained stuck at just four points. The 34-year-old entered the game in the 84th minute and, by the 89th, had secured Inter’s third win of the season, sending them to the top of the Eastern Conference table.
