Messi Never Forgets: Two Solo Goals in Four Minutes — and a Revenge Celebration in Alonso's Face

Messi scored twice in four minutes — then went looking for Alonso

Lionel Messi scored two solo goals in four minutes and then celebrated in front of Atlanta United defender Junior Alonso as Inter Miami won 3-1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, October 17. The full-time and fan footage of Messi and Rodrigo De Paul celebrating in Alonso's face has gone viral — one widely shared clip passed 201,000 views — because it was not random. It was payback for an incident a month earlier that Messi clearly never forgot.

What happened in the match?

German Berterame opened the scoring for Miami moments before half-time. The second half belonged to Messi. In the 56th minute he collected the ball near midfield, drove forward, played a one-two with Berterame at the top of the box, dribbled around a defender and finished with his left foot to make it 2-0.

Four minutes later, in the 60th minute, Luis Suarez played him in for a one-on-one with Alonso. Messi twisted to his right, got back onto his left foot as the goalkeeper came to help, and clipped his finish into the goal. Atlanta pulled one back late — Fafa Picault scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute — but the game was already decided, 3-1 to Miami.

The brace took Messi to 25 goals for the MLS season, according to USA Today and The Sun's match reports. Miami sit second in the Eastern Conference and, according to GiveMeSport, have already clinched a playoff spot with four regular-season matches left.

Why did Messi celebrate in Alonso's face?

Because Alonso did it to him first. In the reverse fixture — a 2-2 draw in September — Messi had a late chance to win the game. Alonso denied him, with a touch / block on his close-range effort in stoppage time, and then celebrated passionately right in Messi's face.

On Saturday, after twisting past Alonso for his second goal, Messi and De Paul made their way back toward the halfway line and celebrated directly in front of the Paraguayan defender. GiveMeSport reported that new fan footage shows Atlanta players confronting the pair, angered by the celebration. SportBible described it the same way: Messi destroyed Alonso for the goal, wheeled away, and could not resist goading him on the way back.

That is why the clip is spreading. Messi is famous for letting his football do the talking. A deliberate, in-your-face celebration aimed at one specific opponent is rare from him — and everyone who saw the September incident understood the message instantly: I remembered.

Why is it blowing up?

First, the goals themselves were vintage. USA Today noted the first was classic Messi — starting near midfield, exchanging passes, and finishing left-footed — and manager Christian "Kily" Gonzalez summed up the reaction afterwards.

"He never stops surprising the world," Gonzalez said in his post-match news conference, as quoted by USA Today. "I can't believe that this guy, Leo, does what he does when he's 39 years old. What makes me the most happy is that he's happy."

Second, the revenge arc is perfect for social media: a clear before (Alonso in Messi's face in September) and a clear after (Messi beating Alonso and returning the celebration), understandable in five seconds.

Third, at 39, with a playoff spot already secured, Messi still treated a personal duel from a month ago as unfinished business — and settled it in four minutes.

Key facts

• Result: Atlanta United 1-3 Inter Miami, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Saturday, October 17.
• Scorers: Berterame just before half-time; Messi in the 56th and 60th minutes; Picault penalty, 89th minute, for Atlanta.
• Season total: 25 MLS goals for Messi this season, per USA Today and The Sun.
• The history: Alonso denied Messi late in September's 2-2 draw and celebrated in his face.
• The viral moment: Messi and Rodrigo De Paul celebrated in front of Alonso after the second goal; Atlanta players confronted them, per GiveMeSport fan-footage reporting.

What's next?

GiveMeSport reports Miami return on October 24 against the New York Red Bulls at Sports Illustrated Stadium. With a playoff place already clinched and Messi in this form, the question for the rest of MLS is whether anyone can stop a motivated Messi in the postseason.

Sources

• USA Today — 'He never stops surprising': Messi turns back clock with dazzling double
• Sportskeeda — Lionel Messi mocks Atlanta United star after scoring brace in Inter Miami win; video goes viral
• SPORTbible — Lionel Messi exacts incredible revenge on player who celebrated in his face
• The Sun — Lionel Messi, 39, scores TWO solo wondergoals then taunts rival
• GiveMeSport — New footage shows how Messi and De Paul angered Atlanta United players after goal

FAQ

Why did Messi celebrate in Junior Alonso's face?

Because Alonso celebrated in Messi's face in September after denying him a late winner in a 2-2 draw. After beating Alonso to score his second goal on October 17, Messi returned the celebration with Rodrigo De Paul.

How many goals did Messi score against Atlanta United?

Two, in four minutes — in the 56th and 60th minutes — in Inter Miami's 3-1 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The brace took him to 25 goals for the MLS season.

What was the final score of Atlanta United vs Inter Miami?

Inter Miami won 3-1. Berterame opened the scoring before half-time, Messi scored twice, and Fafa Picault scored a late penalty for Atlanta.

When do Inter Miami play next?

GiveMeSport reports Miami play the New York Red Bulls on October 24 at Sports Illustrated Stadium, with a playoff spot already clinched.