Lionel Messi Stars And Adds Another Trophy To His Cabinet As Inter Miami Create History To Win MLS Cup

Last Updated:December 07, 2025, 07:57 IST

Lionel Messi played the starring role as Inter Miami lifted their first ever MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Knights in the title clash.

Lionel Messi hoists the trophy alongside teammates after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final. (AP Photo)

Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title on Saturday, playing a pivotal role in a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida. The Argentine superstar assisted in two goals and contributed to another, igniting wild celebrations among the home crowd at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

“This is the moment that I’ve been waiting for, and that we as a team have been waiting for," Messi, who was named the MLS Cup Most Valuable Player, said after the match.

Miami initially took the lead through an early own goal by Edier Ocampo but were pegged back by Ali Ahmed’s second-half equaliser for Vancouver.

Messi then provided the assist for his Argentina international teammate Rodrigo De Paul to make it 2-1 for Miami, before setting up Tadeo Allende for an injury-time goal that secured the victory.

Miami’s first Major League Soccer crown was a significant achievement for co-owner David Beckham, the former England and Manchester United star who had long aspired to bring success to Miami.

“There were a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed," Beckham said. “I always believed in bringing the team here, and when I found the right partners, I knew anything was possible. We always promised our fans that we would bring success and the best players, and today we’ve achieved that."

Vancouver, led by German legend Thomas Mueller, appeared to be the stronger team after recovering from Ocampo’s eighth-minute own goal to level through Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute.

The Whitecaps nearly took the lead moments later when Emmanuel Sabbi’s shot struck both posts in the 62nd minute, allowing Miami to escape.

However, with Vancouver in control, the Canadians were stunned when Miami regained the lead following a mistake by midfielder Andres Cubas. Cubas hesitated in possession and was dispossessed by Messi, who passed to De Paul for a clinical finish.

Vancouver could not recover from this setback, and Miami sealed the win in injury time when Messi assisted Allende for the third goal, making it 3-1.

Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen acknowledged his team’s failure to bounce back after De Paul’s goal against the run of play.

“We made a few mistakes and they took advantage of them," Sorensen said. “The ball dropped for Messi, and he made the pass to Rodrigo. A game is decided in a few moments, and when you play Miami, they have the players to exploit those moments."

The victory marks a significant milestone for Inter Miami, which joined the league as an expansion club in 2020 and successfully signed World Cup-winner Messi in 2023.

Saturday’s win also marked the end of an era for two key figures in Miami’s ascent to the top of Major League Soccer, with Messi’s former Barcelona teammates and Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets retiring.

“That was one of the main objectives – to say goodbye to two good friends that are now stepping into a new life in retirement," said eight-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi about Alba and Busquets’ farewell. “This was very special for them and the whole team. We say goodbye in the best way to two of the best players in football’s history."

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