Lionel Messi, the iconic forward, and Inter Miami have suffered a disappointing exit from the MLS Cup playoffs.
On Saturday, the trophy favorites and Supporters Shield winners, who set a new record for regular season points in 2024, were eliminated by ninth-seeded Atlanta United. Atlanta delivered a surprising 3-2 victory at home in the decisive match of their first-round, best-of-three playoff series.
Miami initially took the lead but fell behind as the first half progressed. Messi managed to equalize midway through the second half, but Atlanta’s Bartosz Slisz netted the game-winning goal with about 15 minutes left in regulation.
Throughout the postseason, Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan, a seasoned 40-year-old veteran from the English Premier League and the U.S. national team, stood tall, making eight crucial saves, including several against Messi’s attempts.
Notably, Miami began the match without Sergio Busquets, a key player and Messi’s longtime teammate from Barcelona. Busquets, who had been feeling unwell, came off the bench after Slisz’s goal but could not help Miami secure another score.
This early playoff exit is a significant setback for Messi, who stated earlier this month that winning the MLS Cup was Inter Miami’s top priority. “That’s the real title that we want, MLS Cup,” he expressed in an interview with 433 before the playoffs. “We’re going to fight for that.”
Despite this disappointment, Messi’s second season in the United States showed substantial improvement compared to his first. After joining mid-season, he led Miami to victory in the inaugural Leagues Cup, triumphing over 46 other teams from MLS and Liga MX.
However, injuries plagued Messi during the 2023 season, contributing to Miami’s failure to reach the playoffs. Nevertheless, under coach Tata Martino, the team dominated the league this year, even in Messi’s absence, as he missed a third of the season due to international duties and recovery from an ankle injury sustained during the Copa América.
Despite not clinching the MLS Cup, the season was still a success for Messi and Inter Miami. They achieved an impressive 74 regular season points and won the Supporters’ Shield, which earned them a spot in next year’s expanded Club World Cup. Miami will host the opening match of this prestigious tournament at Hard Rock Stadium.
As Messi prepares to enter the final year of his MLS contract, he is expected to join the Argentine national team next week for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.
Looking ahead, Miami’s 2025 season is set to kick off next February.
