In a surprising turn of events during the opening round of the 2024 MLS Playoffs, Inter Miami faced an upset at the hands of Atlanta United. Despite Lionel Messi’s valiant efforts to secure a victory for his team, Inter Miami ultimately succumbed to a 3-2 loss, an unexpected outcome considering they entered the playoffs as the top seed.
This defeat marked the end of a season filled with promise and aspirations for a championship, going down in history as a campaign where the club could not capitalize on having Messi in their ranks. Following the match, head coach Gerardo Martino offered candid insights regarding Messi’s future with the organization when he spoke about the situation.
“I actually don’t know how limited [Messi’s time in this league] is. There is a question of time passing, but I would not dare to say that it is so short. If you look at the context in which this began, it seems to me that the progress of the club is important. The comparison of the last game of last season, back in October, with today’s third game in the playoffs and this bitterness that we all have for not having progressed, is clear that the club’s objectives have been modified and I think there is no reason for the club not to continue trying next year.” – Gerardo Martino, ESPN
Inter Miami running out of time to win with Lionel Messi
At 37 years old, Messi continues to perform at an extraordinary level, but there is no denying that he is nearing the twilight of his career. Whether he intends to conclude his playing days with Inter Miami or seek opportunities elsewhere remains uncertain, leaving questions surrounding his future with the team following this disappointing outcome.
Despite the setback, Messi enjoyed another impressive season, netting 20 goals and providing 11 assists across just 19 matches, illustrating his dominance in MLS. Nevertheless, this recent loss has sparked significant contemplation regarding what lies ahead for him, and it will be intriguing to see how the next few months unfold between Messi and Inter Miami.
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