This time the duel of the superstars went to Lionel Messi. The Argentine won the MLS final with Inter Miami against Thomas Müller and the Vancouver Whitecaps and shone as a double provider in the 3-1 (1-0) win.
Vancouver had the better start and Müller had the first good opportunity. After an assist from Emmanuel Sabbi, Noah Allen came into a duel with the 2014 German world champion, so a controlled finish was no longer possible (6th). And then his colleague Edier Ocampo also failed to control the ball when Miami took the lead.
Messi initiated a strong attack on the right side and the Whitecaps defender directed Tadeo Allende’s cross pass into his own goal (8th). After that, things didn’t get too exciting at first, a Messi free kick from 24 meters was easily parried (24th), and a shot by the Argentine superstar from 16 meters was blocked by two straddling Vancouver defenders (28th).
Whitecaps miss goal after Müller assist
But shortly before half-time, Müller turned up the heat – but without being rewarded for it. In the 38th minute, the ex-Munich player prepared a 100 percent chance to equalize, but Sabbi was denied by Rocco Rios Novo from three meters. Shortly afterwards, the Inter goalkeeper parried a header from Müller, which he was no longer able to place well enough (41′). With eight goals and three assists, the 36-year-old had led Vancouver into the final since August, and now he has taken control of it.
“It’s a perfect final. There’s nothing better than playing against the GOAT, against Messi – and beating him”Müller said before his eleventh duel against the 38-year-old, who is by far the top scorer in the MLS. In 33 games, Messi had scored 35 goals and prepared 21 goals. For him it was the opportunity to take at least a little revenge for the defeat in the World Cup final against Germany and Müller in 2014 (0:1), overall Müller “led” 7:3.
Messi misses the 2-0, Vancouver equalizes
Messi’s lead in the league final was shaky, only Vancouver stormed – but then the Argentine had the big opportunity to make a preliminary decision. After a clearance by keeper Yohei Takaoka, the 2022 world champion got a header from eleven meters, but put it just past the empty goal (56th). And then the bell actually rang on the other side.
Sabbi showed one of his many strong solos, playing to goal scorer Brian White, whose cross pass was converted by Ali Ahmed with the help of the fumbled Rios Novo (60th). Shortly afterwards, Sabbi almost finally turned things around, first hitting the post from 15 meters and then directly again in the follow-up (62′).
And in the end the game decides Messi again
But then Messi had his big moment. The “GOAT” may be famous for his footballing class, but certainly not for his pressing skills – but that is exactly what gave Miami the second lead. Messi grabbed the ball, passed it to his compatriot Rodrigo de Paul and he made it 2-1 (71′).
The stage once again belonged to “La Pulga”, who performed in Miami with the famous “Messi, Messi, Messi”homage was celebrated – and this time Müller didn’t tear him off the stage either. Because the Messi gala still had one final point, with a lob he also set up Allende’s last goal of the season (90th + 6). “I always believed in Miami, I found the right partners, we always promised that we would bring success – today we achieved that”said co-owner David Beckham.
Two years ago, the former Manchester United star brought Messi to the USA, now the Argentine has been crowned MLS champion for the first time with Inter Miami and will now take his time to decide whether he wants to take part in the 2026 World Cup with Argentina. Messi has kept this open so far.