In a shocking upset, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated from the MLS after losing 3-2 to Atlanta United in the first round of the playoffs.
Djamel Thiari scored twice, and Bartosz Celich’s 76th-minute header secured the win for Atlanta, who now advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Messi, the world’s most decorated player, tied the game at 2-2 in the 65th minute with an unlikely header, but he missed two free kicks after they hit the Atlanta wall, and Inter Miami were unable to find a way back into the game. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was instrumental for Atlanta, making several crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Ninth-seeded Atlanta will now face fourth-seeded Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals, while New York City FC and New York Red Bulls will compete in the other Eastern semifinal.
Thus, Inter Miami bids farewell to the tournament in a surprising manner, after it was a strong candidate to go far in the tournament thanks to the presence of the Argentine star Lionel Messi, who receives a salary that exceeds the entire budget of Atlanta United.
This elimination is considered one of the biggest surprises in the history of the American Football League, as Atlanta United managed to defeat Inter Miami three times this season, despite Messi’s presence in the team’s ranks.
This season, Messi has only achieved the Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami, which was enough to guarantee participation in the 2025 Club World Cup, and it was the player’s second championship with the American club after the Leagues Cup last year.
