'He’s already achieved everything else, this will be no exception': Miami coach convinced Messi will hit 1,000 goals

Inter Miami coach Kily Gonzalez is convinced Lionel Messi will reach 1,000 career goals after his two-goal display at Atlanta United on Saturday, a 3-1 win that lifted the forward to 936 and put the four-figure mark within sight.

Asked whether Messi can breach the barrier before retiring, Gonzalez was emphatic: “Yes, I believe he’ll reach 1,000 goals. I have faith in that. I know he will, because he loves a challenge, he sets challenges for himself and since he’s already achieved everything else, this will be no exception.”

Gonzalez, a former Argentina winger, admitted he finds it hard to process what the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner is producing in his late thirties.

“I honestly can’t believe that a guy like him, at 39 years old, is doing what he’s doing,” he said.

He credited the forward’s contentment in Florida for the consistency. “What makes me happiest is seeing that he’s truly happy. Because he’s happy, he gives everything he has. He enjoys himself and feels right at home,” Gonzalez added.

Messi also lifts those around him, according to his coach. “As I always say, he pushes us to be better every single day,” Gonzalez said, calling it an immense joy to have the Argentine in his squad.

The brace gave Messi 25 league goals this season, a six-goal cushion in the MLS Golden Boot race. He is also level with LAFC’s Son Heung-min on 15 assists, the first player in league history to reach that mark in three consecutive seasons.

Miami went in front on the stroke of half-time. After intricate build-up play involving Messi, Luis Suarez fought off a defender in the box and flicked a lofted cross, and German Berterame headed into the net with goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos out of position.

Messi doubled the lead in the 56th minute. He led a downfield counter-attack, traded two one-twos with Berterame, danced past a defender and drove a low finish past Hoyos, who was left helpless as Miami’s front three combined at pace.

Four minutes later Messi struck again. Suarez’s long ball released him against Atlanta defender Junior Alonso, and he shifted past the defender with ease before sliding a shot just beyond Hoyos to make it 3-0 in the 60th minute.

Atlanta pulled one back in the 88th minute when Miami’s Maximiliano Falcon tripped Fafa Picault in the box. Picault, who made 20 appearances for Miami last season, drove his penalty into the bottom right corner for the hosts’ only goal.

Atlanta had 21 shots to Miami’s seven but managed only three on target, two of them after the 89th minute. Hoyos and Miami goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair each made two saves, as the visitors’ efficiency decided the contest.

Miami moved to 15-5-10 and 55 points and are second in the Eastern Conference behind Nashville, having already qualified for the playoffs on Wednesday, October 14. It was their third straight win, after victories over D.C. United and New York City FC.

Tata Martino’s Atlanta, 14th on 30 points with a record of 8-16-6, now sit six points behind the ninth and final postseason spot in the East, leaving little margin for error in a late push.