Lionel Messi picked up on Saturday the one trophy still missing even for someone who’s won almost everything: the MLS Cup. Inter Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in the final in Fort Lauderdale and, even without scoring, the Argentine was once again the brain, the rhythm and the spark of a team that’s grown used to leaning on him. With the title, Messi reached 45 trophies in his professional career across clubs and the national team.
Messi leads, Miami respond and MLS gets a new champion
The final started with Inter Miami pushing the tempo, and Messi was directly involved in the play that opened the scoring. Just seven minutes in, he broke down the marking on the sideline, set up Rodrigo De Paul in a great position and the move ended with a cross that deflected off Ocampo and rolled into the net. The Whitecaps answered with structure, took control of the midfield for long stretches and found the equalizer through Ali Ahmed in the second half. It was the kind of moment that tends to shake a final, and also the kind of script where Messi usually steps in.
And he did. At the 71st minute, he stole the ball from Cubas, played De Paul through and watched his compatriot put Miami back in front. From there, Vancouver felt the hit. In stoppage time, Messi brought the ball down on his chest and fed Tadeo Allende to close out the score.
The performance also boosted numbers that impress even those who know him well. Messi reached 15 direct goal contributions in the playoffs, a competition record, and carried Miami to the first MLS Cup in its history. In 2023, the team didn’t even make the playoffs. One year later, after an inconsistent regular season, they produced a flawless postseason run.
Busquets, Alba and the end of a cycle that finishes with a trophy
The title also carried emotional weight. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who announced they’ll retire at the end of the season, played the full 90 minutes. Alba started the move that led to the third goal and broke down in tears at the final whistle, maybe realizing the symbolism of lifting another trophy alongside Messi just before hanging up his boots.
With the MLS title, Messi adds yet another competition to a résumé that already included Spain, France, the Champions League, Copa América and the World Cup.