Lionel Messi’s second-half brace powered Inter Miami to a 3-1 win away at Atlanta United on Saturday, and head coach Cristian “Kily” González is convinced the same hunger will carry the Argentine to 1,000 career goals. “He loves challenges. He challenges himself in everything he has in his head. He has achieved everything and this will not be the exception,” González said after the match.
The brace — in the 56th and 60th minutes, after Germán Berterame’s opener — took Messi to 936 career goals, 64 short of the landmark, and to 25 in MLS this season, six clear in the Golden Boot race. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has owned the 1,000-goal conversation for years, sits on 981, just 19 away; the gap between the two is now 45 goals. Messi has scored 40 goals for club and country in 2026, against 24 for Ronaldo.
The numbers keep stacking: Messi also registered his 15th assist of the season against Atlanta, becoming the first player in MLS history to record at least 15 assists in three consecutive seasons. Since his farewell to the Argentina national team, he has four goals in three matches for the Herons, with a contract running to 2028.
Inter Miami, the defending MLS champions, sit second in the Eastern Conference with 55 points from 30 games and visit the New York Red Bulls on Saturday with three straight wins and a playoff place already secured.
Photo: Sportskeeda
Source: Sportskeeda, October 20, 2026
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