After a poor start to the season, Inter Miami mounted an unprecedented comeback and finished the season in 6th place. This qualified them for the Eastern Conference playoffs.
A major factor behind their miraculous comeback was the form of Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain. The 34-year-old scored 14 goals in the last 16 games to lead his side into post-season competition.
Higuain announced a few weeks ago that this season would be his last, however, he showed no signs of showing down when Miami needed him most. But New York City FC proved a bridge too far for the still fledgling outfit.
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New York won 3-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Pereira, Maximiliano Morales and Heber and that meant for Miami their playoff journey was over as quickly as it started. This, therefore, marked Higuain's last game in football.
The Argentinian, who was filmed in tears after the final whistle told the media: "I felt like what I had loved the most as a job had ended. It was half my life, my career, 17-and-a-half years.
"Images from my entire career came to my mind. What I lived, what I worked, what I experienced and I'm leaving very happy because I gave it all until today. That's the most important thing. The dream is over and another life begins."
Co-owner David Beckham can be proud of his side however. Since their first game in 2020 they have come a long way in a short amount of time and they can see a playoff appearance as a step in the right direction.
Thoughts will now turn to the offseason, where Beckham will be tasked with replacing the retiring Higuain and with a designated player spot opening up, some reports have suggested that the Manchester United legend could return to his former club to try and convince 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo to make the move across the pond.
Given that Phil Neville is the current coach alongside other members of the squad and ownership has links with United, this would only strengthen the connection between the two clubs. However, Ronaldo will likely prefer a move to a club in Europe that can offer him Champions League football, so only time will tell if any move materialises.
Overall it is an unfortunate end to the current campaign for Miami, but a positive step in the road in terms of their long-term journey.
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