Inter Miami Wins First-Ever MLS Cup Title with Lionel Messi’s Stellar Performance
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Lionel Messi hailed a “beautiful, emotional moment” after his brace of assists secured a first-ever MLS Cup title for Inter Miami after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 on Saturday. The victory completes a dramatic turnaround for a club that was languishing in the MLS basement when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived in Miami as the biggest signing in league history in July 2023.
Messi, who was named the MLS Cup MVP, has now won 44 senior titles in his career, including three with Miami. The team’s maiden MLS Cup title caps off a long and ambitious project, which began when the club launched with the backing of David Beckham in 2020. According to ESPN, Messi’s wife and kids love Miami, but he’s come here to win, and that’s really what Leo is all about.
A Dramatic Turnaround for Inter Miami
The home side took an early lead thanks to an own goal scored by Vancouver’s Édier Ocampo in the eighth minute. Forced by a shot from Miami’s Tadeo Allende, the ball deflected off Ocampo and past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. Despite the instant advantage for Miami, the Whitecaps gradually took charge in the remainder of the first half, with captain and Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller pulling plenty of the strings.
Messi’s Stellar Performance
In the second half, Vancouver’s relentless pressure found an even higher gear, leading to a goal from Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute that tied the score at 1. However, Messi took over in the second half, cleverly stealing the ball in the opposition’s half in the 71st minute and making a dangerous pass to a sprinting De Paul. With just the goalkeeper to beat, De Paul slotted his shot with ease into Vancouver’s net to put the home side decisively in front.
Messi added salt to the wounds of the visitors, providing an assist for Allende in the 96th minute to make it 3-1 and spark wild celebrations all around Chase Stadium. As reported by ESPN, it was Messi’s 15th goal contribution of this year’s playoffs, a record for a single MLS postseason, and provided a record ninth goal of these playoffs for Allende.
A New Era for Inter Miami
The final whistle blew following a final touch of Sergio Busquets’ career, with the midfielder joining teammate and fellow former Barcelona legend Jordi Alba in retiring following Saturday’s game. It was also the culmination of a 12-year odyssey for Beckham, part of Inter Miami’s ownership group. According to The Associated Press, Beckham chose Miami for his MLS franchise, and it took him years to finally make it happen.
Now Inter Miami becomes the 16th franchise in the league’s 30-year history to win an MLS title. This extends a run of parity for MLS, which has seen five different franchises win championships in the past five years and eight franchises claim a title in the past nine seasons — only Columbus has won twice in that span. As Beckham said, “It’s been an incredible journey.” The team will be playing in a new stadium near Miami International Airport with a back-to-back title in mind when next season starts.
Information from ESPN’s Lizzy Becherano, The Associated Press, and ESPN Research was used in this report. With Messi’s contract potentially keeping him with Miami into his early 40s, the team is poised for continued success in the future.
