Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami into Atlanta United duel

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Major League Soccer

·4 September 2026

Lionel Messi leads Inter Miami into Atlanta United duel

By Cal Meachem

After last weekend's historic four-goal performance, Lionel Messi takes center stage when Inter Miami CF host Southern rivals Atlanta United on Saturday night.

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How to watch & stream

Apple TV

When

Saturday, Sept. 5 | 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT

Where

Nu Stadium | Miami, Florida

Match Trailer | Messi surges into Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United

Inter Miami CF

Record

2nd in Eastern Conference
42 points (12W-4L-6D)

Last game

The Herons were winless in four straight MLS matches heading into their Matchday 23 clash with CF Montréal, then righted the ship with an astonishing 7-1 home victory.

Lionel Messi earned Player of the Matchday honors with a stunning 4g/1a night that gave him the Golden Boot presented by Audi lead, all while legendary Brazilian midfielder Casemiro scored his first goal for the club.

Players to watch

Lionel Messi: The iconic Argentine No. 10 officially retired from international soccer on Monday. But Messi remains his same old self in MLS, tallying a league-best 28 goal contributions (18g/10a) as he chases a third straight Landon Donovan MLS MVP award.
Luis Suárez: The Uruguayan striker has stepped up in a big way this year, leading the line with 11g/8a. He's reached double-digit goals in three straight seasons with Miami.
Casemiro: Will the Brazilian veteran play center back, as we saw vs. Montréal? Casemiro is best known for patrolling the midfield with Real Madrid and Manchester United, but he displayed positional flexibility last weekend.
Rodrigo De Paul: Alongside Messi, De Paul was a 2026 FIFA World Cup finalist with Argentina. He is a metronome in the Herons' midfield and co-leads the team in assists (10).

Need to know

It's a new dawn for Inter Miami, who announced the hiring of Kily González as the club's head coach last week. He will replace interim manager Guillermo Hoyos.

When the Argentine formally takes over, all eyes will be on Miami looking to win their second straight MLS Cup title – a feat no team has accomplished since the 2011-12 LA Galaxy.

To close the summer transfer window, Miami completed deals for Brazilian forward Riquelme Fillipi and Paraguayan midfielder Matías Galarza. Meanwhile, homegrowns Noah Allen (to Chicago Fire FC) and David Ruíz (to Red Bull New York) were loaned out.

Atlanta United

Record

13th in Western Conference
21 points (6W-13L-3D)

Last game

After a three-match winning streak helped them leap out of last place in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta were handed a 2-0 home defeat against Southern rivals Charlotte FC.

Players to watch

Breel Embolo: Will Atlanta's new Swiss striker make his debut? If so, expect an immediate impact from Embolo after he starred at this summer's World Cup.
Miguel Almirón: An Atlanta United legend, the Paraguayan international is up to 3g/6a this season and recently became the club's all-time assists leader.
Alexey Miranchuk: The Russian international has been Atlanta's attacking leader, leading the squad in both goals (five) and assists (seven).
Júnior Alonso: The veteran defender has helped steady Atlanta's back line since signing as a free agent. Earlier this summer, he helped Paraguay reach the Round of 16 at the World Cup.

Need to know

One month ago, Atlanta sat bottom of the Eastern Conference and looked set to miss the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Now, as August turns to September, the vibes around the Five Stripes have shifted. With three wins in their last four, Atlanta have vaulted themselves back into the playoff picture, sitting only four points behind ninth-place Orlando City.

That, plus the arrival of Embolo, has fans believing they can keep climbing the table.