Lionel Messi’s MLS title chase could end in the first round. No panic from Inter Miami

Lionel Messi’s next playoff game could be his last of the season.

Messi and Inter Miami on the brink of relegation after a 2-1 loss to Atlanta United on Saturday night thanks to Xande Silva’s last-minute game-winning goal.

Inter Miami may have met their match in the MLS Cup playoffs. They have lost five games to MLS teams all season. Now there are two of them in Atlanta.

Game 3 takes place this Saturday at 8:00 PM ET at Inter Miami Chase Stadium with the first round series tied 1-1.

Is there reason to panic for Messi and the MLS Cup favorites?

Let’s be clear: A first-round exit would be a major disappointment for Messi’s experience in Major League Soccer and the United States in 2024.

Inter Miami is the best No. 1 in league history. The MLS Supporters’ Shield winners set regular season points record (74) in Messi’s first full campaign for the club.

Not winning in the MLS Cup final on December 7 would be a disappointment – especially for Messi, who has not scored in the first two MLS playoff games of his career.

“We have the advantage of having a big hierarchy in the team with players who have been through much more difficult situations than this,” Inter Miami coach Tata Martino said after the second-leg loss.

Messi’s memorable career was built on heavy defeats before the crowning moments of his legacy.

Messi’s World Cup in Qatar began with a stunning loss for Saudi Arabia. And let’s not forget the unforgettable final against Kylian Mbappe and France, which ended in penalties and cemented Messi’s status as an all-time great.

The last case of Messi’s misfortune happened in America’s Cup final this summer where he twisted awkwardly and injured ligaments in his right ankle, missing two months of the MLS season.

Messi felt the pressure of a scoreless first half for Argentina against Colombia in the final. He was left behind sobbing on the bench, his ankle swollen like a ballafter he finally left in the second half trying to play through an injury. He then felt joy and relief when Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal that gave Argentina a second straight Copa America win.

Before Messi’s recent international success, Argentina had been ousted at four previous World Cups and he even retired from the national team after two straight defeats in the Copa América final against Chile. He was criticized for winning so little with Argentina, while he won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns with Barcelona.

Messi and MLS Cup playoff-threatened Inter Miami aren’t quite up to par. But that’s the predicament he and Inter Miami face ahead of next Saturday’s third leg.

Messi must play better in the playoffs. Of course, he made some masterful passes, like the goal scored by Jordi Alba Victory in the first game 2-1 on October 25. He has just one assist and missed all 13 of his shots in 180 minutes.

Messi hit the right post in both matches. He made his way to the right, left and threw over the net. And at least four shots were blocked by Atlanta’s dynamic goaltender Brad Guzan, using various body parts to no end.

Those misses came after Messi was arguably his strongest since injury at the Copa América as he cruised into the postseason with two hat-tricks in two games with Argentina and Inter Miami last month

Atlanta is a fearless group. They slipped into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season and won the wild card game to face Inter Miami. They have a chance to beat them for the third time this season.

Messi has led Inter Miami to two titles and he wants to win another championship. But the pesky No. 9 seed stands in the way.

So, cause for panic? It should be.

Atlanta has nothing to lose, and Messi’s experience in MLS and the United States depends on his success. Anything can happen with Messi on the pitch and Inter Miami’s historic season on the line this week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Messi’s MLS title chase on the brink in Game 3 of Inter Miami-Atlanta