Is Messi About to Wreck Atlanta United? The Answer’s Worse Than You Think

With Lionel Messi on fire, Atlanta United might be in deep trouble. He’s like that hurricane everyone knows is coming, but no one can truly prepare for. After three months out, he came back like he never left, leading Inter Miami to a smooth win over the Philadelphia Union. Not only did he play all 90 minutes, but he was the maestro of it all.

The big question now is what’s going down in the next round when Inter Miami faces Atlanta United at the massive Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Let’s be real—if you’re an Atlanta fan, things aren’t looking great. The team’s been on a roller coaster ride, but not the fun kind—the one that leaves you queasy and worried. The issue isn’t just Messi, though he’d be a nightmare on his own, but also the Florida team’s current form, which seems unstoppable.

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I mean, look at it: five straight wins. Five! And who’s running this machine? The greatest player in soccer history. Bet you they’re aiming for more than just the playoffs. They’ve got their sights set on a record season, the Supporters' Shield, and maybe even a league revolution that, let’s face it, wouldn’t have happened without Messi. He’s already bagged 14 goals and 14 assists in just 13 games. That’s more than two goal involvements per match. I doubt any defense in the MLS can handle that—and Atlanta’s certainly doesn’t seem like the exception.

Oh, Atlanta… It’s tough to watch what’s happening to this team. Back in 2018, the fans were on top of the world. The team was strong, competitive, and had a coach with a clear philosophy and a beautiful style of play. But things change, and not always for the better. Now in 2024, Atlanta looks like it’s having an identity crisis: no coach, no clear leadership in the front office, and no players who can carry the team on their backs. Sure, Daniel Ríos and Saba Lobjanidze are decent, but six goals each? That’s nothing compared to what Messi pulls off in an inspired week. Atlanta started the season with hopes of rebuilding, but now they’re floundering, neck-deep in mud, fighting for even the last playoff spot.

The latest loss to Nashville SC was a gut punch. Nashville had lost eight straight! That should’ve been an easy win, but Atlanta tripped hard. And now, with Messi coming to town, the tension’s only getting worse. This match against Inter Miami is basically do-or-die. The team’s two points below the playoff line, and if they lose again, any hopes of salvaging the season might go straight down the drain.

What Messi’s doing in the MLS is a masterclass on how a single player can change the game completely. He’s making Inter Miami look like a giant in a league that, not long ago, saw them as just another project under construction. If Atlanta can’t find an answer, history will repeat itself. Because, honestly, Atlanta United has been playing a soulless, bureaucratic kind of soccer, while Inter Miami, fueled by Messi, is on a whole different level.

And the craziest part is how comfortable Messi looks in this new phase of his career. He’s not just playing well—he’s having fun. He came back after a long absence and, in his first chance, led the charge against Philadelphia with a performance most players can only dream of. His partnership with Luis Suárez is clicking like they were never apart.

Meanwhile, Atlanta United’s stuck in a storm of their own making. Bad decisions from the front office, constant coaching changes, no clear plan—all of it’s left the team weak. And when a team’s this vulnerable, facing someone like Messi is like pouring gas on a fire. Not to mention, Atlanta’s once-passionate, loyal fanbase is starting to lose patience. If the team doesn’t get it together soon, they can kiss the playoffs goodbye. And honestly, with Messi in charge, it’s hard to see any team in the East topping Inter Miami.

This game against Inter Miami could be the turning point of the season, but probably not in the way you’re hoping. Messi’s not just winning games—he’s redefining what it means to dominate in the MLS. And the real question Atlanta United has to answer isn’t just how they’ll stop the Argentine, but how they’ll rebuild a team that, just a few years ago, was on top of the league but now seems to be falling apart.