The two goals push Messi's MLS-leading total to 25 while his first-half assist put him level atop the league's assist chart too.
Lionel Messi scored twice in the second half on Saturday to lead Inter Miami past host Atlanta United 3-1, extending his MLS-leading goal tally to 25.
The scoring stayed locked at nil until the final minute of the first half, when Germán Berterame converted assists from Messi and Luis Suárez for his ninth goal in his first 26 MLS appearances. Messi then took over, scoring in the 56th and 60th minutes to put Miami up 3-0. Berterame assisted on both of Messi's goals, and Suárez picked up a helper on the second.
The first-half assist also moved Messi into a tie with Los Angeles FC's Son Heung-min for the league lead in assists with 15, making him the first player in MLS history to reach at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. Messi won last season's Golden Boot with 29 goals, and this latest outburst keeps him firmly in the conversation for a third straight MVP award.
The win was Miami's third in a row, keeping the club rolling as Messi continues to pad his league-leading numbers in both goals and assists.