Messi and his Inter Miami teammates played with great effort and determination in the decisive match against Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs. Only a win would advance. They quickly took the lead and fought back to equalize, but then terrible defensive errors ruined everything.

Inter Miami won the MLS Supporters’ Shield with a record number of points, but their failure to win the MLS Cup, the most prestigious trophy in professional soccer, capped off a disappointing season. The MLS Cup is also a trophy that Messi is eager to win. But he will have to wait at least one more season in 2025.

Entering the decisive match, Inter Miami started with the best lineup available, while key midfielder Sergio Busquets returned from injury and was benched. Coach Tata Martino deployed an attacking trio of Messi, Suarez and Diego Gomez. In midfield were young stars Federico Redondo, Benjamin Cremaschi and Matias Rojas.

Under the leadership of Messi, Inter Miami quickly took control of their crucial match. The start was promising, as the home team took an early 1-0 lead in the 17th minute. From an attack organized from midfield initiated by Messi, the famous player then had a powerful shot in front of the penalty area, but goalkeeper Brad Guzan brilliantly pushed it out. At the same time, midfielder Matias Rojas was there in time to score a close-range goal for Inter Miami.

However, just a few minutes later, Inter Miami’s defense unexpectedly collapsed when the visiting team Atlanta United turned the game around to lead 2-1. Both goals of Atlanta United were scored by striker Jamal Thiare in the 18th and 20th minutes after mistakes by Inter Miami defenders forced goalkeeper Drake Callender to continuously pick the ball out of the net.

This development left more than 21,550 spectators at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium completely stunned and unable to believe their eyes, as the home team had just scored the opening goal, then immediately lost the advantage and fell behind.

Inter Miami’s efforts after two stunning goals were able to equalize 2-2. However, Diego Gomez’s goal was disallowed by VAR due to a very narrow offside.

In the second half, Messi and his teammates tried their best to find an equalizer. But it was not until the 65th minute that Messi defeated the Atlanta United defense with a close-range header to equalize 2-2.

A beautiful set-up by Suarez, allowing Marcelo Weigandt to cross the ball accurately for the 37-year-old to jump high and head the ball into the box. This was also Messi’s first goal in the MLS Cup playoffs after an earlier assist, and the 26th headed goal of his career to date.

It seemed that this important goal would help Inter Miami play more solidly. But then unnecessary mistakes in defense appeared to harm Messi and his teammates, when Atlanta United took advantage of the opportunity in the 76th minute to once again increase the score to 3-2 thanks to player Bartosz Slisz after a simple attack.

In the final minutes of the match, the drama of the match increased to a very high level. Messi played with all his might, looking for every opportunity to equalize the score, including finding the final solution of free kicks in front of the penalty area. However, this famous player found at least 2 free kick opportunities, but both were unsuccessful.

Inter Miami had to accept a painful 2-3 home defeat to Atlanta United and exit the MLS Cup. Thus, ending the 2024 season in disappointment because they failed to achieve the goal of winning the most prestigious title in the US professional soccer league.