### Messi's Record-Breaking Season Overshadowed by Playoff Setback Lionel Messi has made headlines once again by setting a new Major League Soccer (MLS) record, scoring **40 goals in a single season**. However, this achievement was marred by Inter Miami's recent playoff loss to Nashville SC, which ended their hopes of advancing in the MLS Cup playoffs. Despite Messi's late goal in the match, Inter Miami fell short, losing 2-1 in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, thus leveling the series at one game apiece. This loss highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Inter Miami, even with Messi's extraordinary contributions to the team [https://thepicks.com/us/news/soccer/messi-mls-record-inter-miami-nashville]. ### Breakdown of the Recent MLS Playoff Events 1. **Game Overview**: - Inter Miami faced Nashville SC in Game 2 of the MLS Cup playoffs. - Nashville took an early lead with goals from Sam Surridge and Josh Bauer. - Messi scored a late goal in the 89th minute, but it was not enough to secure a win [https://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/nashville-inter-miami-score-messi-e20036]. 2. **Messi's Performance**: - Messi's late goal marked his **40th goal of the season**, setting a new MLS record. - His scoring prowess has been a critical factor for Inter Miami throughout the season [https://thepicks.com/us/news/soccer/messi-mls-record-inter-miami-nashville]. 3. **Series Context**: - The playoff series is a best-of-three format, with Inter Miami having won the first game 3-1. - The series is now tied, with a decisive third game scheduled for November 8 in Fort Lauderdale [https://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/lionel_messi_inter_miami_driven_to_send_nashville_packing/s1_17064_42995234]. ### Supporting Evidence of Messi's Impact and Team Performance - **Messi's Scoring Record**: - Messi's 40 goals this season surpass the previous record held by Carlos Vela, showcasing his exceptional talent and influence in the league [https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/carlos-vela-dethroned-lionel-messi-sets-rare-mls-record-in-inter-miami's-playoff-opener-against-nashville-sc]. - **Game Statistics**: - In the first playoff game, Messi scored twice and assisted another goal, leading to a 3-1 victory over Nashville [https://apnews.com/article/mls-messi-inter-miami-nashville-score-5b1f94547ccbbc34cc451e6cb5666f51]. - Despite his efforts, the second game saw Miami unable to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, leading to their elimination risk in the playoffs [https://www.flashscore.dk/news/mls-playoffs-lionel-messi-scores-but-not-enough-for-inter-miami-in-loss-at-nashville/fkOaSdVq]. ### Conclusion: Messi's Legacy Amidst Challenges In summary, while Lionel Messi's record-setting season is a testament to his extraordinary skills and contributions to Inter Miami, the team's recent playoff performance raises questions about their ability to capitalize on his talents. The series against Nashville SC is now tied, and the upcoming game will be crucial for Miami's playoff aspirations. 1. **Record Achievement**: Messi's 40 goals set a new MLS record. 2. **Playoff Performance**: Inter Miami's loss in Game 2 puts their playoff future in jeopardy. 3. **Next Steps**: The decisive third game will determine if Miami can advance in the playoffs [https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/messi-scores-miami-lose-nashville-level-mls-cup-playoff-series-1275111].