Lionel Messi’s shock playoff defeat was great for drama but a problem for MLS

The league has made the Argentinian star the crux of its push for growth. But now that his season is over will neutral fans bother to watch?

Sports - Yahoo Sports - November 10

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami shockingly eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs after home defeat to Atlanta United

The favorites to win MLS Cup were bounced in the first round on Saturday

Sports - CBS Sports - November 10

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami flop out of MLS playoffs, stunned by Atlanta

Inter Miami lost a second consecutive game to Atlanta United, and crashed out of the MLS playoffs in the first round.

Sports - Yahoo Sports - November 10

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami dumped out of MLS playoffs; NWSL's big four all advance to playoff semifinals

Elsewhere on the Golazo Starting XI newsletter, USMNT are big at work ahead of Jamaica clash

Sports - CBS Sports - November 11

MLS playoffs begin Friday with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in action | Clash of Brazilian stars in El Clasico

Elsewhere in today's edition of the Golazo Starting XI the USWNT swung into action with a win against Iceland

Sports - CBS Sports - October 25

MLS Cup Playoffs Round One: How to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play Atlanta United tonight

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will face Atlanta United in Round One of the MLS Cup Playoffs; here's how to watch.

Sports - Yahoo Sports - October 25

MLS Cup Playoffs preview, expert picks for every game: Who will stop Lionel Messi's Inter Miami from winning?

The early rounds may see most of the favorites move through, but there will be surprises later on

Sports - CBS Sports - October 25

Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United score: Lionel Messi, Herons win MLS playoff opener

Jordi Alba scored in the 60th minute to break the tie

Sports - CBS Sports - October 26

Manchester United make Ruben Amorim official; Lionel Messi back in action in MLS Cup playoffs on Saturday

Elsewhere in the Golazo Starting XI newsletter, the USWNT close out another successful window under Emma Hayes

Sports - CBS Sports - November 1

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami on brink of elimination in MLS Cup Playoffs after surprising loss at Atlanta United

The loss on Saturday night means the best-of-three series will go to a final game

Sports - CBS Sports - November 3

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami eliminated from MLS Cup playoffs by Atlanta United with 3-2 Game 3 loss

Sports - ABC News - November 9

MLS Cup Playoffs scores, schedule, bracket: Upsets rule as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami eliminated by Atlanta

The first full round of the playoffs for the MLS Cup are underway, and the favorites are cruising

Sports - CBS Sports - November 11

Miami beats Atlanta in Messi's MLS playoff debut

Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba scored and Inter Miami beat Atlanta United 2-1 in Game 1 of a best-of-three Major League Soccer playoff series on Friday night.

Sports - ESPN - October 26

Clock ticking for Messi as Miami suffer biggest shock in MLS postseason history

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are out of the MLS playoffs after getting stunned by Atlanta.

Sports - ESPN - November 11

MLS playoff schedule: Messi's Miami eliminated in dramatic fashion

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will not be MLS Cup champions, as they were dumped out of the playoffs in stunning fashion by Atlanta United.

Sports - Yahoo Sports - November 9

MLS awards winners, finalists: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez up for MVP; Wilfried Nancy to finally win top coach?

Here are all the players up for the biggest honors in MLS

Sports - CBS Sports - November 16

Lionel Messi's every move shown on TikTok during his winning Inter Miami playoff debut

Lionel Messi’s every move was on display in his winning MLS playoff debut

Sports - ABC News - October 25

Premier League title race heats up, MLS playoff shock & Rachel Kundananji embarrasses defender

Christian and Alexis react to a wide open Premier League title race. Then, the guys discuss the MLS playoffs including a couple of big upsets. Later, Christian and Alexis break down Rachel ...

Sports - Yahoo Sports - November 4

Messi held in check as Paraguay shock Argentina

A stunning bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria and a second-half header from Omar Alderete gave Paraguay a well earned 2-1 home win over Argentina in the South American World Cup qualifiers on ...

Sports - ESPN - November 15

A Messy Problem in Orderly Singapore: Keeping Track of Cats

The reversal of a 35-year ban on cats in public housing won’t be a quick fix for cat-related problems. It’s not even clear how many cats live in the city-state.

World - The New York Times - November 10

Formula 1’s Franco Colapinto Is Being Compared to Lionel Messi. Will It Last?

Stardom in Argentina is a unique cultural phenomenon, particularly for the country’s professional athletes, a columnist for The Athletic writes.

Sports - The New York Times - November 1

Where do Lionel Messi and Inter Miami go from here?

Inter Miami heads into a pivotal 2025 season with a Club World Cup spot, potential roster upgrades hindered by MLS restrictions, and the ticking question of whether Messi will stay beyond his ...

Sports - Yahoo Sports - November 11

How a 40-Year-Old Goalkeeper Ended Lionel Messi’s M.L.S. Season

It’s been 18 years since Brad Guzan first played for the U.S. men’s national team. He views talk of a return to that level as a “joke.”

Sports - The New York Times - November 14

Lionel Messi’s Coach Resigned, Leading to Questions About the Star’s Future

Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through 2025.

Sports - The New York Times - 3 days ago

Robert Lewandowski: Challenging for Greatness in Messi-Ronaldo Era

We interviewed Barcelona’s star striker, the top scorer in Europe’s big leagues at the age of 36.

Sports - The New York Times - Yesterday

Messi: Had to reinvent my style due to age, MLS

Lionel Messi acknowledged he has reinvented his style of play since joining Inter Miami CF in order to adapt to Major League Soccer in the closing stretch of his career.

Sports - ESPN - November 1

Timeless Advice for Great Leaders: Be the Same in Success and Defeat

Consistency is key in leading your team.

Business - Inc. - October 31

Lionel Messi Didn’t Just Take Over American Soccer. He Took Miami Global.

While much more should be done to market the M.L.S.-Messi product, things couldn’t be going better for Miami, a columnist for The Athletic writes.

Sports - The New York Times - October 29

Argentina vs. Paraguay lineups, live stream: Where to watch Lionel Messi, odds, prediction, pick

Lionel Messi's Albiceleste can move even closer to booking a 2026 berth with a win in Asuncion

Sports - CBS Sports - November 14

Lionel Messi's coach at Inter Miami, Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, is stepping down for personal reasons, AP source says

Sports - ABC News - 4 days ago

Tata Martino reportedly out as Inter Miami coach as Lionel Messi and company aim to rebound in 2025

The season ended much earlier than expected for the Herons, and now another coach will be tasked with leading them to MLS glory

Sports - CBS Sports - 4 days ago

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino stepping down as coach of Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, AP source says

Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who guided Inter Miami to the best regular season record in Major League Soccer history this season, is resigning as coach of the club

Sports - ABC News - 4 days ago

Lionel Messi's former teammate Javier Mascherano close to becoming Inter Miami coach, AP source says

Lionel Messi is on the cusp of reuniting with former Argentina national teammate Javier Mascherano with Inter Miami, this time as player and coach, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told ...

Sports - ABC News - Yesterday

Confusing MLS playoff format a source of frustration for LAFC and Galaxy

Major League Soccer has frequently tinkered with its playoff format. The Galaxy and LAFC aren't fans, calling for a return to aggregate scoring.

Sports - Yahoo Sports - October 29

MLS Cup playoffs: Round 1 sees LAFC, Galaxy emerge as favorites

Inter Miami's elimination wasn't the only shock of Round One, so ESPN unpacks the highs and lows of the wild beginnings of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.

Sports - ESPN - November 12

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