It was all lining up to be a season of perfection for Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. This season was supposed to be the final feather in Messi’s GOAT cap, and heading into the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs,

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the opening round of the MLS Cup Playoffs in a stunning upset, losing 3-2 at home to ninth-seeded Atlanta United on Saturday at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami has played Atlanta five times this year, and won just once, 2-1 in the playoff opener at home. Atlanta beat Miami 3-1 back in May, they tied 2-2 in September, and Atlanta stunned Miami on Saturday to force Game 3 with an extra-time game winner by Xande Silva before a crowd of 68,455 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.