Atlanta, GA
Lionel Messi tallies two goals, assists as Inter Miami shut out Atlanta
Messi’s dominant performance against Atlanta came after he briefly left international duty with Argentina during the FIFA window.
Published On 12 Oct 2025
Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted on another by Jordi Alba to lead Inter Miami to a 4-0 home victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night in Major League Soccer (MLS) at Chase Stadium in Florida.
Messi, who sat out his home nation, Argentina’s, friendly against Venezuela that was held in Miami one night earlier, started and helped Inter Miami (18-7-8, 62 points) guarantee itself at least the No 3 seed in the Eastern Conference with the victory.
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The Herons still have a chance to secure the No 2 seed if they can finish with more points than FC Cincinnati, which also has 62 points. If the teams finish with the same number of points, Cincinnati would clinch the higher seed by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Atlanta United (5-16-12, 27 points), which eliminated Inter Miami from the MLS playoffs in the first round last season, lost its third match in a row and is winless in its past five.
Both teams were short-handed due to the FIFA international window this week. But Messi, who chose to play for club over country this weekend, now leads the MLS in goals, with 26, and his 18th assist tied San Diego’s Anders Dreyer for the league lead.
Messi’s first goal came in the 39th minute when he controlled a crossing pass from Baltasar Rodriguez and curled in a shot to the far top corner to break a scoreless deadlock. His second goal capped the scoring in the 87th minute off an assist from Alba.
In the 52nd minute, Messi created the chance that led to Miami’s second score, when he looped a long ball across the field to Alba as he surged towards Atlanta’s goal. Alba did the rest, lobbing the ball over Atlanta keeper Jayden Hibbert.
Luis Suarez added to the tally in the 61st minute, when he timed a shot perfectly off a high clearance attempt by Atlanta into the back of the net, curling the ball past Hibbert. Inter Miami’s Rocco Rios Novo started in goal and recorded the clean sheet.
Atlanta United, which has been riddled with injuries to key players this season, had to deal with another when, in the 14th minute, Stian Gregersen was forced to leave the game with what appeared to be a potential hamstring issue.
Saturday’s fixture was the final MLS regular-season match at Chase Stadium for Inter, with the team relocating to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.
As freezing temperatures settle across metro Atlanta tonight, the City of Atlanta and DeKalb County have activated multiple warming centers Sunday evening to provide shelter and safety for residents in need.
City facilities will operate overnight beginning 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, through 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 12, while DeKalb County centers will open starting 6:30 p.m. the same night.
Transportation is available at select locations.
City of Atlanta warming centers
The City of Atlanta has opened two primary locations offering heated indoor space, rest areas, and transportation from the Gateway Center.
Open from 8 p.m. Sunday to 10 a.m. Monday:
- Central Park Recreation Center
400 Merritts Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
- Selena S. Butler Park & Recreation Center
98 William Holmes Borders Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Transportation:
A shuttle will depart nightly at 8 p.m. from the Gateway Center at 275 Pryor St SW, taking individuals to the designated warming facilities.
DeKalb County warming centers
DeKalb County is also opening several warming centers beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, with multiple locations across the county.
Transportation is available from Frontline Response Headquarters.
Locations include:
- Exchange Park Intergenerational Center
2771 Columbia Dr., Decatur
- Frontline Response International
2585 Gresham Rd SE, Atlanta
- St. Vincent de Paul
2050-C Chamblee Tucker Rd., Chamblee
- Mason Mill Recreation Center
1340 McConnell Dr., Decatur
- Golden Door Warming Center (women and children only)
2944 Ember Dr., Decatur
24-hour sheltering resources
Several shelters remain open around the clock for individuals seeking longer-term support:
For real-time availability, residents are encouraged to contact the Gateway Center at (404) 215-6600.
How to get help
Officials urge anyone needing warmth, safety, or transportation to head to pickup locations early. Families with children and individuals experiencing homelessness are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the centers.
Residents can find updates on:
- City of Atlanta website
- DeKalb County website
- Gateway Center hotline: (404) 215-6600
Officials encourage early arrival
City and county leaders are urging anyone needing warmth or shelter to arrive early, especially as transportation shuttles may fill quickly. Families with children and individuals without access to heat are encouraged to use the warming centers overnight.
Challenges await the soccer team’s new players and manager Gerardo Martino.
Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almirón misses a chance in the box against DC United on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Previous manager Ronny Deila had difficulty figuring out Almirón’s best position. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2025)
Atlanta United’s presumed path back to MLS relevance will start with a new manager, a few new players and a few players gone and, at some point, a new president.
Manager Gerardo Martino, back at the club after leading it to the playoffs in 2017 and MLS Cup in 2018, will lead the first training session of the pending season Monday.
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Manager Gerardo Martino, back at Atlanta United after leading the club to the playoffs in 2017 and MLS Cup in 2018, will lead the first training session of the pending season Monday. (Jason Getz/AJC 2025)
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Doug Roberson covers the Atlanta United and Major League Soccer.
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