Messi, Alba dazzle as Inter Miami wins last game at Chase - ESPN

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi captained Inter Miami CF to a 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United FC on Saturday night at Chase Stadium, briefly leaving international duty with the Argentina national team to help clinch the crucial three points for the Herons.

Though he was called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for the two friendly matches of the October FIFA window against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, Messi instead featured for Miami in the final regular season Major League Soccer match at Chase Stadium.

Miami will move into its new home, Miami Freedom Park, in 2026.

Messi scored the first goal of the night, curling the ball into the top left corner for his 25th of the season.

The club captain later set up longtime teammate Jordi Alba for the second goal of the game, as the defender looped a shot over the head of Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert on his final ever regular-season MLS home game.

Alba announced his retirement from football at the end of the 2025 MLS campaign and received a special tribute from Inter Miami following the final whistle Saturday night.

Luis Suárez volleyed in Miami's third goal of the night in the 61st minute with an exquisite right-footed strike from the top of the penalty area and Messi added his second in the dying minutes to finish off the scoring.

Messi's second of the night put him on 26 for the season, two ahead of LAFC striker Denis Bouanga in the race for the MLS Golden Boot.

Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul, who featured in Argentina's friendly win against Venezuela on Friday, celebrated each goal from the sidelines alongside La Albiceleste players Leandro Paredes, Nicolás Otamendi and Giovani Lo Celso.

Miami players Telasco Segovia, Noah Allen, Ian Fray and Mateo Silvetti also