Lionel Messi delivered a masterclass performance, scoring two goals and setting up another for Jordi Alba, as Inter Miami routed Atlanta United 4-0 at Chase Stadium in Florida on Saturday night.

Messi, who skipped Argentina’s friendly against Venezuela in Miami the night before, led Inter Miami (18-7-8, 62 points) to a victory that guarantees at least the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Herons still have a chance to finish second if they surpass FC Cincinnati, who also have 62 points, with the tiebreaker favoring Cincinnati.

Atlanta United (5-16-12, 27 points), eliminated by Inter Miami in last year’s first-round playoffs, suffered its third straight defeat and has gone winless in five matches.

Despite both teams being affected by the FIFA international window, Messi prioritized club action, extending his MLS lead with 26 goals and tying San Diego’s Anders Dreyer for the league lead with 18 assists.

Messi opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a curled shot from a Baltasar Rodriguez cross. He then assisted Alba for Miami’s second goal in the 52nd minute, sending a precise long ball across the field for Alba to finish over Atlanta keeper Jayden Hibbert. Luis Suarez added a third in the 61st minute, capitalizing on a high clearance, before Messi sealed the 4-0 win in the 87th minute with his second goal off Alba’s assist.

Inter Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo kept a clean sheet, while Atlanta suffered another setback when Stian Gregersen left in the 14th minute with a potential hamstring injury.

Saturday marked Inter Miami’s final MLS regular-season game at Chase Stadium, as the team prepares to move to Miami Freedom Park in 2026.