Lionel Messi scored twice and provided an assist as Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday night.
The match was goalless until the final minute of the first half. German Berterame then scored with assists from Messi and Luis Suarez. It was Berterame's ninth goal in his first 26 MLS appearances.
Messi's assist was his 15th of the season. That ties him with Los Angeles FC's Son Heung-min for the league lead. He is also the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three straight seasons.
Messi struck twice in the second half in the 56th and 60th minutes, to make it 3-0. Those goals took his league-leading tally to 24 and 25 respectively. Berterame assisted both goals, and Suarez also helped set up Messi's second.
Messi won the Golden Boot last season with 29 goals. He and Josef Martinez are the only players in MLS history to score at least 25 goals in a regular season twice.
Messi now has 40 goal contributions this season. The league record is 49 by Carlos Vela with Los Angeles FC in 2019. With four matches left Lionel Messi is nine short.
Atlanta pulled one back when Fafa Picault scored a penalty in the 89th minute. The goal ended Inter Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair's bid for a clean sheet. He made two saves. Atlanta's Lucas Hoyos also saved two shots.
The two sides drew 2-2 earlier in September.
