FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Lionel Messi captained Inter Miami CF to a 4-0 triumph over Atlanta United FC on Saturday night at Chase Stadium, briefly leaving international duty with the Argentina national team to help clinch the crucial three points for the Herons.

Though he was called up by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni for the two friendly matches of the October FIFA window against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, Messi instead featured for Miami in the final regular-season Major League Soccer match at Chase Stadium.

Miami will move into its new home, Miami Freedom Park, in 2026.

"It was pretty straightforward yesterday before the game," Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi's availability. "I spoke with Scaloni, and he told me he was going to release him, that he wasn't goi

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