Messi's Atlanta night adds a flashpoint to the 18-goal Golden Boot race

New post-match reporting has added an edge to Lionel Messi's return to Inter Miami. The 2-2 draw with Atlanta United produced a reported exchange with defender Júnior Alonso, while Messi's 18 MLS goals now sit level with Petar Musa in the Golden Boot race.

MLS reported that Alonso blocked Messi's late shot and celebrated the clearance, which led to end-of-game confrontations involving players from both teams. 1

Yahoo Sports reported that Messi and Alonso exchanged words after the final whistle. Teammates separated the players, and the report said the incident stayed verbal. 2

The reports add a new storyline to a match already covered for Messi's two assists. They describe a tense finish around the final chance, rather than a disciplinary decision or a confirmed suspension.

Petar Musa's brace for FC Dallas moved him level with Messi at 18 goals in the MLS scoring race. MLS noted that Messi holds the assists tiebreaker, giving him the statistical edge while the two forwards share the goal total. 1

Messi's next chance to move clear comes at Chicago Fire. Inter Miami's official schedule lists the match at Soldier Field for 8:30 a.m. Asia/Shanghai on Thursday, Sept. 10, with Apple TV carrying the game. The schedule page lists no Messi availability update. 3