The Argentine made his long-awaited return from injury in their 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union, having a hand in all three goals as Inter opened up a 10-point lead over FC Cincinnati in the table.

It was Inter Miami's fifth consecutive win after a heavy 6-1 loss to Cincinnati, and Messi acknowledged how well the team had performed amid some injury troubles this season.

"As we said at the beginning, we know the squad we have, and the title is our goal," he said. "We're realistic and take responsibility for it.

"Unfortunately, we've had a lot of bad luck with injuries this year and were never at full strength for one reason or another. We were always missing players, but the team always managed to push through."

On his own return from an ankle problem he sustained playing in the Copa America final, he said: "It was a lot of time off the field. Little by little, I found myself with the group. I felt good, and that's why we decided that I would start. I am very happy."

Meanwhile, Atlanta is down in 10th on 31 points, half of Miami's points tally, though it did shock the Herons in their last meeting, beating them 3-1 on the road.

Atlanta has won just once since the return of MLS action after the Leagues Cup break though – a narrow 1-0 victory over Charlotte FC – and lost last time out at home to Nashville SC.