The hype for Inter Miami is real, and it cannot be denied that the squad is a heavy pick to come through the deeper stages of the competition after what seemed to be a historic run in ages. However, it seems that Lionel Messi is expected to carry a big load like he did in his time with Barcelona as he hopes to bring success to Miami and prove that he can win anywhere.

Atlanta United has broken through the wild card rounds, setting up a promising clash of elite teams as Inter Miami now takes on the task of beating the team in a best-of-three series in the first round of the MLS Cup. Games will be played this October 26th, November 3rd, and November 10th. For Messi and the squad, this is a chance to prove that they have what it takes to win, and what more could the fans ask for than a spectacular performance from the former La Liga and Ligue 1 star?

At this point, it is hard to argue that Inter Miami is a favorite to win, but that also means that the squad must find a way to live up to expectations, and fans are definitely keen to see more from the squad that is led by a World Cup winner and a veteran of two highly competitive European leagues.

Pressure’s On for Messi and the Squad

Inter Miami clinched the Supporter’s Shield without much hassle after Messi led the team to the best record for the 2024 season. That was the second trophy that he’s helped bring home for Miami after he helped the club secure a Leagues Cup win last season. However, it seems that there are a lot of talk as to how Messi and the rest of the squad will be able to come up with a promising push to the top of the postseason.

MLS’s race to the flagship title is different from what he is used to in the European setting, where teams only need to finish at the top of the standings in order to be hailed as champions. This time, however, he will have to bring “Messi Mania” into a different picture with the playoff action set to ensue this weekend.

There’s still work to be done, and many players are seeking to see more from Messi as the squad now takes on Atlanta United, a team that has managed to put up some of the best performances in the postseason and deliver an impressive look on their games now more than ever.

Meeting an Energized Atlanta United

Sure, Inter Miami boasts a strong squad led by Messi and his former Barcelona co-stars such as Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. They even have former Barcelona and Argentina boss Tata Martino to lead the club as a whole, but they should not underestimate their opponents as they are set to take on a reinvigorated Atlanta team.

In case you missed it, Atlanta managed to pull off a 5-4 win in penalties against Montreal FC, beating them in the wild card and delivering a promising victory that sets them apart from other contending teams in the competition. So far, it does seem that Atlanta have a great chance to pull off an upset, but it seems that Inter Miami will still be the favorite to win with odds of +150 on their side.