Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their first ever MLS Cup title on Saturday, playing a leading role in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida.
Argentina superstar Messi provided assists for two goals and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium in Fort LauderdaleInter Miami took the lead early with Édier Ocampo tapping in a low cross behind his goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
It was a blow for the visiting Whitecaps, but the Canadians didn’t give up and worked their way into the game. The stats underlined a strong Whitecaps performance with the Vancouverites holding over 60% possession throughout the match.
There were chances, too, for the Whitecaps with Emmanuel Sabbi having the biggest one just before halftime, but Rocco Ríos Novo stood his ground. That wasn’t the case in the second half when Ali Ahmed broke into the box, and his low shot slipped through Ríos Novo’s hands for the equalizer. Ahmed becomes just the second Canadian to score in an MLS Cup Final after Dwayne De Rosario scored in the 2001 and 2007 finals.From then on, it only seemed a matter of time for the Whitecaps to score their second.
Shortly after the equalizer, Sabbi had a second big opportunity to bring the Whitecaps ahead. But the ball ricocheted off both posts to stay out. Instead, it was Miami who would strike next. Messi received the ball in midfield and played a through ball to Rodrigo De Paul, who beat Takaoka with a clinical finish.
"When you play a final like this, small moments decide the game," Jesper Sørensen said after the game. "We could have made it 2-1, but we missed that chance, and instead they scored to win the game.
The second goal gave them confidence and hurt us." The Whitecaps never got back into it, and finally, Tadeo Allende (90+6’) broke the MLS Cup Playoff record with his ninth goal of the playoffs. The result means that Messi has now somewhat improved his record against Müller.
In nine competitive fixtures between the two, the Argentine has now won twice against Müller. It is also the first time Messi has beaten Müller in a major final. The German had the better of the two in the 2014 World Cup final, in which Germany beat Argentina 1-0 a.e.t. For the Whitecaps, in the meantime, this is the second final defeat this season.
While they did win the Canadian Championship, beating local rivals Vancouver FC (4-2) they also lost the Conacaf Champions Cup final against Cruz Azul (5-0).Still, the positives will prevail after a brilliant season that began with so much uncertainty. "We have such a great group and really grown together over the course of the seasons," Sørensen said. Ahead of the season, the owners put the club up for sale, and while there is continued uncertainty about where the club will play after the 2026 season, the run this year has set wheels in motion that could lead to a solution at BC Place or a new stadium in Vancouver.
Vancouver’s mayor, Ken Sim, was in attendance in Fort Lauderdale. "We have created something that people want to watch," Sørensen said. "I think it has been a joy to be part of all this." Indeed, the city will feel the push from fans to find a permanent home for the Whitecaps in Vancouver after all: 24,452 fans attended the watch party at BC Place, more than the attendance at Chase Stadium.
.
"The support we had has been unbelievable," Sørensen said. "We want to be in Vancouver, and we want to play in Vancouver. It is a great city."Finally, the winners, it was such a balanced affair, but the individual brilliance by Messi, De Paul, and Allende made the difference in a game that was won by fine margins.
Ultimately, it feels like a coronation for Messi & Co. The question is what will happen next. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will retire. Luis Suárez is unlikely to continue his MLS career.
Messi will want to be in top shape for the 2026 World Cup. Inter Miami CF are set to open Freedom Park in 2026. Ownership around David Beckham and Jorge Mas will want to use the momentum created from this title win to build a dynasty around Messi, which, given the turnover, won’t be easy.