Messi's Inter Miami Battles Atlanta United in MLS Playoff Showdown

Inter Miami's historic MLS season ended with a first-round playoff exit after a 3-2 loss to Atlanta United. Despite Lionel Messi scoring his first postseason goal to tie the match, Atlanta's Bartosz Slisz and Jamal Thiaré secured the upset. Inter Miami, the top seed with a record 74 points, was eliminated by the ninth-seeded Atlanta, who advanced to face Orlando City in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Messi's season concludes without an MLS Cup title, despite leading the league in goals and payroll.