Lionel Messi and Inter Miami suffered a shock elimination in the first round of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs on Saturday, losing 3-2 to No. 9 seed Atlanta United on home soil in the best-of-three series decider.

Fireworks shot out from the rafters of Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium on Saturday night, but there was nothing for the home team to celebrate. When the final whistle blew in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami had been beaten 3-2 by Atlanta United and eliminated from the MLS playoffs.

Lionel Messi’s Major League Soccer season is over. So, what’s next for the Argentine World Cup champion in the United States? A look ahead to 2025-26.

There will be no MLS Cup for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami this year. Atlanta United saw to that with a massive upset, sending the game’s most decorated player and biggest-spending team home earlier than anyone imagined.

The Argentine won't be in MLS forever and his shock early exit from the playoffs is an opportunity to really evaluate 'the Messi effect'

Lionel Messi’s first appearance in the Major League Soccer postseason has come to an end with a first-round exit, putting a sour end to a historic season for Inter Miami. Messi scored his first postseason goal in the 65th minute to tie the match at 2,

Inter Miami has played Atlanta five times this year, and won just once, 2-1 in the playoff opener at home. Atlanta beat Miami 3-1 back in May, they tied 2-2 in September, and Atlanta stunned Miami on Saturday to force Game 3 with an extra-time game winner by Xande Silva before a crowd of 68,455 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Herons' Round 1 playoff exit raises questions about their transfer and recruitment strategy over the past season