Messi makes MLS history with a brace and an assists record

A win with a statistical milestone

Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1 away on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Atlanta, with two Lionel Messi goals and a secondary assist that produced a first in MLS history.

According to Inter Miami’s official recap and the MLS report, Messi was involved in Germán Berterame’s 45th-minute goal and then scored in the 56th and 60th minutes. That earlier pass was counted by the league as a secondary assist, a statistical category used by MLS.

With that play, Messi reached 15 regular-season assists and became the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive regular seasons, according to both the league and the club.

Why it matters now in Argentina

The performance came eleven days after Messi’s farewell with the national team in front of the Argentine public: AFA reported that Argentina beat Benin 3-0 on October 6 at the Monumental, in Messi’s last national-team match before fans in the country, and that the Rosario-born forward scored the third goal.

That contrast frames the moment: Messi closed an emotional chapter in an Argentina shirt in Buenos Aires and, a few days later, kept adding competitive milestones with Inter Miami. His club career continued with another official, verifiable mark.

Inter Miami’s official recap lists the team’s next confirmed match for Saturday, October 24, 2026, against Red Bull New York.