Lionel Messi BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.
Lionel Messi has once again made headlines for his electric performance on the pitch and his prominent role in emotional team milestones. Saturday night at Chase Stadium, he captained Inter Miami to a commanding 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, scoring two goals and providing an assist in what turned into a night of milestones and farewells according to ESPN and the Connecticut Post. Messi’s opener, a trademark left-footed curl into the top corner, marked his 25th goal of the MLS season and propelled him into the lead for the MLS Golden Boot. He followed that with a deft assist for long-time teammate Jordi Alba, setting the stage for Alba’s emotional farewell in his last regular-season home match before retirement. The match saw Messi notch his 26th goal of the season late in the game—one that put him ahead of LAFC’s Denis Bouanga in the race for top scorer.
Major League Soccer’s official outlets and mlssoccer.com described the occasion as a rare and sentimental convergence, with Messi and Alba once again combining for signature plays, their chemistry honed over more than 400 games together for club and country. Alba’s retirement, announced just days ago, drew an emotional response from Messi, who wrote in a heartfelt Instagram comment which was widely shared on Threads, “Thanks to you, Jordi. I’m going to miss you so much. After so much together, it’s going to feel strange to look to my left and not see you there … Who’s going to give me return passes now?”
While Messi had initially been expected to represent Argentina in two international friendlies, national team manager Lionel Scaloni granted Inter Miami’s request to have their captain present for this pivotal MLS clash—a decision praised by Miami coach and former teammate Javier Mascherano. Messi’s participation has major playoff implications, as Miami is now tied for second in the Eastern Conference heading into the crucial Decision Day.
Social media buzzed with clips of Messi’s brilliance and tributes to Alba. Notably, Miami players and Argentina teammates Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Otamendi, and others celebrated Messi’s goals enthusiastically from the sidelines, further amplifying the international flavor of the occasion.
Looking forward, Messi may still join his national teammates for the next Argentina friendly against Puerto Rico scheduled at Chase Stadium—a point Scaloni left open, hinting at more headlines to come. While the long-term impact centers on Messi’s continued dominance in American soccer and the close of an era with Alba and Sergio Busquets both set for retirement, the immediate story remains Messi’s unwavering commitment and record-setting form at age 38.
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