(foto: Getty Images)
Inter Miami's playoff journey ended with a 3-2 loss to Atlanta United in a shocking upset, leaving Lionel Messi's future uncertain and sparking speculation about his commitment to MLS.
Inter Miami and Lionel Messi faced a devastating end to their MLS season after a surprise 3-2 loss to Atlanta United in the playoffs. Despite finishing the regular season at the top of the Eastern Conference and achieving the best record and points total in MLS history to secure the Supporters' Shield, Miami’s title hopes were dashed in a shocking upset.
Atlanta United, who had just a 10% chance of making it to the MLS Cup semi-finals, will now face Orlando City in the final four. Miami’s defeat came at Chase Stadium despite taking an early lead. Matias Rojas opened the scoring for Miami in the 17th minute, but Atlanta’s Jamal Thiare quickly responded with a brace, netting goals in the 19th and 21st minutes.
Messi managed to equalize for Gerardo Martino’s side in the 65th minute, but Atlanta sealed their victory with a 76th-minute goal from Bartosz Slisz. Kevin Egan, host of Apple TV’s MLS 360 coverage, described the match as the “biggest upset in MLS history,” noting that “the lowest-ranked team remaining just knocked Messi and Miami out on their own turf.”
Martino addressed questions surrounding Messi’s future with the club, as the Argentine star’s contract runs through December 31, 2025. However, the ex-Barcelona manager admitted that Messi’s future remains uncertain. “I actually don’t know how limited [Messi’s time in MLS] is,” Martino said, acknowledging that while time is passing, there is still potential for the club to improve and aim for success next season.
Martino emphasized that, despite the playoff loss, Inter Miami’s overall performance has marked significant progress compared to previous seasons. “The bad and the good in general have been better than everything that happened last year and, I would say, even from the entire life of the club,” Martino noted.
Inter Miami will compete in the Club World Cup in the U.S. this summer following a controversial decision from FIFA. Some MLS club officials criticized FIFA’s qualification criteria, accusing the governing body of favoring Miami due to Messi’s presence. However, FIFA cited Miami’s Supporters' Shield win as the basis for their selection, despite objections from rival MLS owners who suspect the decision was made to ensure Messi’s participation in the expanded 32-team tournament.