"We weren’t able to achieve the most important one" - Inter Miami boss reacts as Lionel Messi's team gets knocked out of MLS play-offs

Inter Miami manager Tata Martino has reacted as Lionel Messi and the Herons were knocked out of the MLS play-offs by Atlanta United. They were gunning for the MLS Cup and needed to get past Atlanta to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

However, the Five Stripes came out winners in their best-of-three tie. Miami had won the first game 2-1, and would have gotten through if they won the second game. However, Atlanta won their second game 2-1, before winning the third game 3-2 at the Chase Stadium on November 9.

The Herons were widely expected to get to the final of the MLS Cup, especially after their impressive MLS season saw them clinch the Supporters' Shield. However, they have been knocked out unexpectedly, with Tata Martino revealing how Lionel Messi and other players in the dressing room felt.

He said to the press (via intermiami.news):

“If you think about the expectations we had for the play-offs, we evidently fell too short.

“They’re sad, as they should be. As it should be when there’s so much expectation and the team can’t meet it. In the final stretch of the year we’d gotten used to achieving our objectives, and we weren’t able to achieve the most important one.”

Lionel Messi was one of their best players throughout the season, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists in just 25 games across all competitions. However, his goal and assist in the MLS Cup playoffs were not enough to help them through.

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Tata Martino speaks about Lionel Messi's potential exit after Inter Miami crash out of MLS Cup

Tata Martino also opened up about Lionel Messi's future at Inter Miami, following their defeat to Atlanta United in the Playoffs. While speaking with the press, the manager explained (via GOAL):

"I actually don't know how limited [Messi's time in this league] is. There is a question of time passing, but I would not dare to say that it is so short. If you look at the context in which this began, it seems to me that the progress of the club is important."

Messi notably has one more year left on his contract with Inter Miami, having joined the club in the summer of 2023. Tata Martino also spoke about the club missing out on the MLS Cup, but admitted that there had been growth:

"...I think there is no reason for the club not to continue trying next year. What happened this year, the bad and the good in general have been better than everything that happened last year and I would say even from the entire life of the club."

Inter Miami's season has come to an end, but they will be looking to get back on their feet and clinch more trophies next season.