MIAMI.- In another brilliant performance, Lionel Messi scored a double on Saturday in the 3-1 victory of the Inter Miami about him Atlanta United, reached 26 goals in the season MLSin which he is the top scorer, already 936 goals in his successful career.
Messi built the victory of the “Herons” by participating in the team’s first goal, the work of the Mexican attacker German Berterame in the first stage, and score his two goals in a period of four minutes in the second half of the match played in the Mercedes Benz Stadiumin Atlanta.
“He never ceases to surprise the world,” said his coach, Cristian “Kily” Gonzálezat the post-match press conference. “What makes me most happy is that he is happy and when he is happy he gives as he gives.”
Berterame opened the account in the 45th minute. Messi found Luis Suarez inside the area and the Uruguayan with a touch from above enabled the Mexican, who headed past the goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. In this way, Berterame added his second consecutive goal and the ninth of the season.
Although Miami did not play at its best level, it knew how to maintain defensive order and controlled the Swiss Breel Plunger and to the Paraguayan Miguel Almirón, main offensive weapons of Atlanta United, led by Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Former coach of Inter Miami.
Messi, 39, scored his first goal of the night in the 56th minute, when after a double wall with Berterame he scored with a cross shot. Four minutes later, the “Pulga” won a direct duel against the Paraguayan Junior Alonso and scored the third for Inter Miami.
Approaching a thousand goals
In this way, he reached 936 goals in his career and continues to approach the magic figure of a thousand goals.
“I trust and know that he will achieve (reach a thousand goals) because he likes challenges, he achieved everything and this is not going to be the exception,” commented “Kily” González excitedly.
In addition, Messi reached 25 goals in the tournament, and is six ahead of his guards, Petar Musaof FC Dallasand Milan Iloskiof Philadelphia Union.
Atlanta United scored in the 89th minute with a penalty scored by Fafa Picault.
With their victory, the third in a row, the “Garzas” remain in second place in the Eastern Conference, with 55 points, twelve behind the leader Nashville SCwhich later tied with the San Jose Earthquakes for the thirtieth date of the regular season.
“We have achieved a first objective, for me it is to continue improving as a team and today we have shown a show of character,” said González.
Atlanta United, for its part, is left with almost no chance of advancing to the playoffs as it finds itself with 30 points in the penultimate place in the East, where it surpasses only the Montreal Impact of the Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez, which has 24 points.
