Lionel Messi’s debut in the MLS playoffs ended in unexpected disappointment, but his impact on both Inter Miami and Major League Soccer as a whole cannot be overstated. Despite finishing his first season without a league title, the World Cup winner revitalized the team and raised MLS’ global profile. Messi’s arrival brought a fresh wave of excitement to both local fans and international audiences. Unlike previous marquee players, whose arrivals were often met with indifference, Messi has forged a deep connection with fans, highlighting why the club was eager to secure his signature.
Unlike most of the world’s major soccer leagues, which finish their seasons in May and take off for the summer, MLS keeps its schedule going through the postseason. That has created an incredibly intense environment for both teams and fans. The league’s playoff series are best-of-three, which means that any team can lose a game and still be eliminated. The fact that three of the top seeds were knocked out in a single weekend reflects the volatility of this competition stage.
It was a nightmare scenario for the top-seeded Herons, who had waltzed through their regular season and looked set to become the first team to win an MLS title in its 34-year history. They won the opening game of their series, 2-1, but could not hold on in Atlanta and were sent packing after a 3-2 loss to the underdogs.
The loss was excruciating for MLS, which had greatly emphasized making the most of the hype surrounding Messi’s debut. The league’s marketing campaigns were centered on the GOAT, and they even put up a giant billboard featuring Messi in Times Square during the playoffs.
After the match, Messi remained alone in the corner of the field for a few moments, saluting a section of supporters. He then grabbed a stadium microphone and shouted the same unprintable expletive that he had posted on social media after his first Copa America triumph in 2014.
MLS keeps its exact viewing numbers private, but Messi’s playoff debut was its most-streamed sporting event ever, and it triggered a massive surge in the number of new subscribers for the MLS Season Pass. Apple said it had its highest-ever single-day increase in subscriptions for the streaming service following the game.
Despite the setback, Messi and his teammates will still compete in next year’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup. The club, co-owned by David Beckham, was awarded a spot reserved for the host nation after winning the Supporters Shield, which is given to the MLS team with the best regular season record. The tournament will be held in the United States and broadcast by Fox. Messi expects to play his last matches with Miami, lending an air of urgency to fans who hope to catch a glimpse of one of the sport’s all-time greats. But he also carries a different vibe than past superstars who have visited the US, delivering an underdog story with some bite.
