Lionel Messi scores two solo goals in four minutes as Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1

Lionel Messi is 39 years old. On Saturday night he looked like he was still in his prime.

Messi scored two second-half goals four minutes apart as Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. He now has 25 goals this season, the most in MLS.

Two goals that looked the same

Mexico striker German Berterame put Miami ahead in the 45th minute.

In the 56th minute Messi drove inside from the right wing and traded passes with Berterame at the edge of the box. He slipped past a sliding Atlanta defender and fired low into the net.

Four minutes later Luis Suarez sent him in alone. Messi beat another defender one on one and again finished with his left foot past goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos.

Atlanta got a late goal on a penalty from former Miami forward Fafa Picault.

Chasing records

Messi leads the Golden Boot race by six goals. He also shares the league lead with 15 assists alongside LAFC's Son Heung-min after he was credited with a secondary assist on the opening goal. He is the first player in MLS history with 15 assists in three straight seasons.

He has a goal or an assist in 13 straight matches. The two goals took him to 936 for his career.

"Yes, I believe he'll reach 1,000 goals," Miami coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez said. "He loves a challenge."

Happy in Miami

Gonzalez said Messi pushes the whole team to be better every day.

"He never ceases to amaze the world," Gonzalez said. "What makes me happiest is seeing that he's truly happy. Because he's happy, he gives everything he has."

It was Messi's first trip back to Atlanta since the World Cup semifinal in July, when he set up two late goals in Argentina's win over England. He has four goals in three games since his farewell match with Argentina earlier this month.

Playoff picture

Miami clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday and has won three straight. The club sits second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville. Atlanta, coached by Messi's former Miami and Argentina coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino, is 14th in the East.

Miami visits the New York Red Bulls next Saturday.

For one more night the show belonged to Messi.