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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>Lionel Messi claimed Miami are among the favorites</li><li>Set to face Atlanta United in best of three first round series</li><li>Messi scored 20, assisted 16 for <em>the Herons</em> this year</li></ul><div class="affiliate-button-container theme-1" data-name="Apple TV"><div class="affiliate-button"><img class="logo" height="40" width="72" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/bltcc7a7ffd2fbf71f5/blt2de198b67da95a2e/65709d2436cf7d0407034ef9/Apple_TV.png" style="width: 72;height: 40;"><span class="affiliate-text">Get the MLS Season Pass today!</span></div><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=goal_mls&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1010l39UY" class="affiliate-button-link" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Stream games now</a></div>

'We are one of the favorites' - Lionel Messi speaks on Inter Miami's MLS Cup dreams ahead of first round matchup

<p>Lionel Messi has revealed he believes Inter Miami are among the top contenders for MLS Cup - and have a good chance of securing a first championship in club history. The Argentine led the Herons to a Supporter's Shield win this campaign on the back of a 20 goal, 16 assist season that has him a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/lionel-messi-far-above-rest-deserves-all-awards-jordi-alba-inter-miami-team-mate-mls-mvp-award/blt4cdaa939a21db9af" target="_blank">serious candidate for his first MVP award stateside</a>. Miami won the Eastern Conference and fought off a late charge from Columbus Crew to end the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/mls-202-season-grades-lionel-messi-inter-miami-chicago-fire-new-england-revolution/bltebb0d608e0ab7cce" target="_blank">campaign with the most points in league history</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In an excerpt from an interview, Messi outlined Miami's playoff hopes: "Well, I think we are one of the favorites. I think we are a team that has grown and learned to compete and that will compete with anyone. But I think there are also tough teams who will be very difficult rivals and who will not make it easy. But I think the other teams respect us like we respect them."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBjELgxCTcr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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WHAT MESSI SAID

<p>Miami will face a tricky path to MLS Cup. They <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/inter-miami-settle-for-chaotic-atlanta-united-draw-as-lionel-messi-struggles-to-get-involved-in-second-half-cameo/blte5dd62bd88439e0a" target="_blank">struggled to a chaotic 2-2 draw</a> against first round opponents Atlanta United last month, and if results go as expected with face the Crew in the Eastern Conference finals - a matchup between the two sides widely considered the best in the league. </p><p>This will be Messi's first taste of MLS playoffs. The Herons didn't qualify for last year's postseason following a poor start to the season. They did, however, clinch the Leagues Cup in the Argentine's first campaign. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><em>The Herons</em> start their MLS Cup hopes Friday night with a first round matchup against Atlanta at home. They then travel to Georgia next weekend for game two. A game three, if needed, will be on Nov. 9 in Miami.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI AND INTER MIAMI?

'We are one of the favorites' - Lionel Messi speaks on Inter Miami's MLS Cup dreams ahead of first round matchup | Goal.com

Lionel Messi backed Inter Miami for MLS Cup success, with their first round clash with Atlanta United set for Friday night