Inter Miami 4-0 Atlanta United: Messi stars as hosts honour Alba

Lionel Messi played another starring role as Inter Miami cruised to a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United at Chase Stadium.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner scored twice – taking his seasonal tally to 26 goals – and provided an assist for Jordi Alba, to whom the crowd paid tribute following his final home regular-season appearance for the franchise. 

Messi was watched on by his Argentina team-mates, who he is expected to link back up with ahead of their match against Puerto Rico on Tuesday after missing Friday's win over Venezuela.

He was denied from close range by Jayden Hibbert in the 21st minute, but opened the scoring 19 minutes later by brilliantly curling into the top corner after Baltasar Rodriguez stole possession just outside the box.

Messi's clever pass was volleyed against the crossbar by Luis Suarez in first-half stoppage time, though he did provide an assist seven minutes after the break, his cross-field pass releasing Alba, who lobbed over the advancing Hibbert – the departing left-back's third goal in hist previous two outings. 

Suarez then got in on the act just after the hour, superbly volleying home after substitute Fafa Picault's cross was only cleared to the edge of the area.

But Messi had the final word three minutes from time, latching onto Alba's lofted ball before drilling past Hibbert.

Data Debrief: More MLS history for Messi

Messi created even more history following another standout display for Miami.

With two goals, he became the first player to score at least twice in nine matches during a single MLS regular season.

Suarez, meanwhile, notched a career landmark in spectacular fashion, the veteran striker reaching 600 goals in all competitions courtesy of his wonderful volley.