'Most beautiful goal you can see' - Lionel Messi still the 'best player in history' after putting on another MLS masterclass with Inter Miami

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has seen limited game time over recent weeks, with his MLS employers reluctant to take unnecessary gambles on his fitness. After being rested and left on the bench, Messi returned to the Herons' starting XI against Atlanta United.

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It took less than 20 minutes for him to make an impact and register his first MLS goal of 2025, with the Argentine dancing past a couple of defenders before calmly clipping the ball into the back of the net. That effort helped unbeaten Inter Miami to a 2-1 win in Georgia.

Mascherano told reporters afterwards, with another experienced head – new signing Fafa Picault – grabbing an 89th-minute winner for Miami: "Well, Leo's goal, he's the best player in the history of this sport, there's nothing more to say. He's a player who has the ability to score the most beautiful [goal] you can see.

"The goal from Fafa obviously makes us very happy for him. We came from three hard weeks because he had been out. We're very happy. He's come to contribute his experience in this league. But he's been humble, working as a team, knowing to use the moments when we need it. So, we are delighted with him."

Mascherano, who has succeeded fellow Argentine Tata Martino as Inter Miami boss, added on his early experiences of life in MLS: "I paid a lot of attention to Inter Miami because the reality is that, like all Argentines, we followed Inter Miami, but I wasn't paying attention to other teams, which surprised me.

"There are many teams that have very good ideas that execute very well. I started to meet players who have a high, good level who are in this league but who could also be in a European league. In fact, I think we have some of our players who I didn't pay so much attention to before, perhaps, because we didn't know them; and now, the truth is, they have surprised me.

"It's a league that I like. I like its organisation. I like that everything works. I like that I have to worry about training the team and preparing for games."

Inter Miami, who broke records en route to claiming Supporters’ Shield honours in 2024, have already returned to the top of the Eastern Conference. They will now reassess during the latest international break, with MLS action not on the agenda again until playing host to the Philadelphia Union on March 29.