Thiago Almada outshines Lionel Messi in stunning performance for Atlanta United as Inter Miami stumped at home vs Tata Martino's ex-club

Two goals from Saba Lobjanidze and a third from Jamal Thiare sunk Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Wednesday. A 3-1 road victory for Atlanta United, they snapped a nine-game winless streak while handing the Herons their first loss in MLS action since March 23.

Messi did net a goal himself, but it was not enough to propel the South Beach club towards a comeback after conceding two unanswered through the first 62 minutes of the match.

Tata Martino's first stint in MLS was with Atlanta United from 2017-2019. He led them to 2018 MLS Cup, with a roster that had both Josef Martinez and Miguel Almiron.

Thiago Almada:

Lionel Messi's 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning teammate shined brighter Wednesday evening, with the attacking midfielder putting on a clinic at Chase Stadium.

The 23-year-old was beyond sensational for the Five Stripes, linking the midfield and the attack on all three goals. Although he didn't end up on the scoresheet, his influence on the match cannot go unnoticed.

He made Sergio Busquets and Federico Redondo look average, and not many players across MLS can even come close to doing that.

The Inter Miami defense:

Losing Nicolas Freiere to a torn ACL for the season is having a rippling efect. Miami's central duo of Tomas Aviles and Serhiy Kryvtsov do not mesh well, and neither seem to be on the same page with the other.
They were carved up on the third goal, and on both the openers, they failed to press and/or close down to limit the shot attempts.

It's easy to see why Martino has a centerback on his shopping list this summer, with Real Madrid's Nacho rumored to be his top target.

The Herons are back in action this Saturday in a quick turnaround as they host Western Conference side St. Louis CITY SC. It will be Messi's final match with Miami before he departs for Copa America with Argentina.