MLS: Messi And Alba's Combined Brilliance Secures Emphatic Win Over Atlanta United

Written by Patrick Echatah

A remarkable set of circumstances led to the unsurprising, yet fitting, sight of Leo Messi standing next to Jordi Alba in an Inter Miami jersey on Saturday night.

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The occasion was a post-match tribute at Chase Stadium, where Inter Miami honored the iconic Spanish left-back after their game against Atlanta United. The event came just four days after Alba made the unexpected announcement that this would be the final season of his decorated 16-year career.

He celebrated by scoring the second goal in the 4-0 blowout victory, ensuring the Herons a finish of at least third place in the competitive MLS Eastern Conference. The win also gave them a measure of revenge against the team that defeated them in last year’s playoffs.

In a fitting turn of events, Lionel Messi—who has benefited from countless superb assists from Jordi Alba throughout their 400+ professional matches at FC Barcelona and Miami—became the playmaker.

Messi delivered a brilliant, long pass that perfectly split the Atlanta defense and found Alba’s run. The ball settled up invitingly, allowing Alba to cap a remarkable performance by delicately chipping the ball over goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert for the decisive, victory-clinching goal.

Not long after, Alba returned to his traditional role, providing a precise pass over the top to Messi. The superstar collected the ball and calmly fired his MLS-leading 26th goal of the year past Hibbert, sealing the win and demonstrating their enduring connection.

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Indeed, it was the 50th goal created by the partnership of Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi, according to Transfermarkt. Their combined record is impressive, with 278 wins, 62 losses, and 74 draws, which translates to an exceptional average of 2.19 points per game.

The pair hopes to add to this tally in the next two months as they push for an MLS Cup victory. Winning the cup would allow Alba and former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets—who is also set to retire at the end of the year—to conclude their careers as champions.

“Thanks to all the Inter Miami fans for their support from the first day I arrived, and especially my teammates, all the club’s employees, and those behind the pitch who are just as important as the players,” Alba told the home crowd in Spanish in an emotional postgame ceremony, his son Paolo, the youngest of his three children, at his hip.

“This is coming to an end … but we’ll try to win to leave the club at the top.”

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