In a surprising turn of events, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have been eliminated from the MLS Cup playoffs after a 3-2 defeat to Atlanta United. This unexpected upset marks an early exit for both the star player and the heavily favored team. Jamal Thiaré was the standout performer for Atlanta, scoring two goals, while Bartosz Slisz netted the decisive header in the 76th minute. With this victory, Atlanta United completed a clean sweep of the best-of-three first round playoff series, sending Inter Miami home sooner than anticipated. Despite this playoff disappointment, Inter Miami is set to participate in the 2025 Club World Cup, providing a silver lining to an otherwise challenging season.