Lionel Messi reveals how he feels about MLS Playoff concept ‘where the games are different’ after previously playing club football only in Europe

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi has revealed how he feels about the Major League Soccer's (MLS) playoff system. The Inter Miami forward claimed that there is a stark contrast between the post-season games and the regular season.

While the championship winners are decided directly upon the conclusion of league phase play in Europe, the system is vastly different in the United States. Due to the vastness of the nation, the USA is divided into two conferences in the MLS - Eastern and Western - akin to other major sports in the country.

The highest point-scoring team across conferences is not the league champion; instead, the side is awarded the Supporters' Shield title. The top seven teams in each conference qualify for the MLS Play-offs, with the eighth and ninth team playing a wildcard game for the last qualification spot.

The play-off proceeds in a seeded bracket format in each conference, with the first round being a best-of-three series. The winners of the conferences take each other on in the MLS Cup final, and the victor of that game is declared the champions of the USA.

Having the first 20 seasons of his career in European leagues, playing for Barcelona (2004-2021) and Paris Saint-Germain (2021-23), Messi has expressed his surprise at the play-off system in the MLS. In a recent interview with Apple TV, the Argentine maestro said (via GOAL):

"I think the playoffs are a completely different competition, where the games are different. The teams are much more careful and attentive to every detail as with any given situation you can be knocked out. But obviously we're prepared to fight and try to win it, what we all want."

Messi's Inter Miami, who finished as the third seed in the Eastern Conference, won 3-1 in Game 1 of their first-round play-off series against Nashville on Friday (October 24).

"We must be better" - Lionel Messi sends message to Inter Miami teammates in race for MLS Cup title

Legendary forward Lionel Messi has claimed that his Inter Miami side will have to defend more staunchly if they are to have a chance at winning the MLS Cup title.

The 38-year-old recalled the Herons' shocking first-round defeat to Atlanta United in the 2024 season. As the top seed and Supporters' Shield winners, they were the favourites for the title; however, they lost by two games to one in their Round 1 play-off series against Atlanta United.

Although Miami scored five goals across those three games, the six goals they conceded ended up costing them the series. Speaking to Apple TV, Messi said (via GOAL):

"There were moments where the team competed at a very high level, but it's also true that we were irregular, defensively, where we conceded a lot of goals, and that's something we still are lacking. We must be better in that area if we really want to win the MLS Cup."

Game 2 of Inter Miami's first-round MLS Play-off series against Nashville is set to be played on Saturday (November 1).

Edited by Aaryan Nagraj