Lionel Messi vows to return stronger after Inter Miami's soccer playoff exit

Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Lionel Messi said Inter Miami will get ready to "come back stronger next year" after the Herons' upset loss to Atlanta United in the first round of the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs.

The Argentine striker, who registered a goal and assist in the best-of-three game series, also cited the Herons' growth this season, when they led MLS with a record 74 points.

"A season ended in which we continued to grow as a club and, although we achieved some goals, we wanted more," Messi wrote Monday on Instagram. "Thanks to all the people who joined and supported us.

"Now let's get ready to come back stronger next year."

Messi, 37, totaled 20 goals and 11 assists over 19 starts in 2024, his first full season with the Herons. He totaled 11 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions last season.

The Herons, who led MLS with 22 wins and 79 regular-season goals, earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They then beat Atlanta United 2-1 in their playoff opener. Their first-round foes bounced back with a 2-1 victory Nov. 2 in Atlanta.

Midfielder Matias Rojas gave the Herons a 1-0 lead with a 17th-minute score in the series finale Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Forward Jamal Thiare answered with two scores just minutes later to give Atlanta United a 2-1 lead at halftime.

Messi found the net with a 65th-minute equalizer, but midfielder Bartosz Slisz scored a go-ahead goal for the visitors in the 76th minute.

Saturday's result marked the greatest playoff upset, points-wise, in MLS history -- as the Herons were 34 points better than Atlanta United in the regular season.

"We had good times and bad," Herons manager Tata Martino told reporters, when asked about the record-setting 2024 campaign. "When you think about where we were last November, we made a lot of progress.

"But if you think about our expectations that we had for these playoffs, we obviously fell short."

Atlanta United, the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference, will face No. 4 Orlando City SC in the MLS Cup semifinals. No. 6 NYCFC and the No. 7 New York Red Bulls, who scored respective upsets of the No. 2 Columbus Crew and No. 3 FC Cincinnati, will meet in the other MLS Cup semifinal.

The Western Conference semifinals will feature No. 1 LAFC and the No. 4 Seattle Sounders and the No. 2 Los Angeles Galaxy and No. 6 Minnesota United.

NYCFC and the New York Red Bulls will launch the semifinal round at 5:30 p.m. EST Nov. 23 at Citi Field in Flushing. The MLS Cup finale will be Dec. 7.