Inter Miami, Messi Eyeing Greatness in MLS Cup final

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins made history by becoming the first and only NFL team to enjoy a perfect record, before successfully defending their Super Bowl credentials the following year. Miami would have to wait a quarter-century before its next major championship, with the Marlins winning the World Series in 1997 and 2003. The Miami Heat followed in quick pursuit, winning the NBA Finals in 2006, 2012 and 2013, whilst the Florida Panthers claimed the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025. And on Saturday, Inter Miami will have a golden opportunity to enter the pantheon of the city’s sporting elite.

Over the past two years, Inter Miami have gone from one of the worst teams in MLS to a dominant powerhouse, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. They enjoyed the best regular season record in MLS history with 74 points, only to lose to Atlanta United in the first round. This time, however, Miami find themselves just one game away from winning the biggest prize in American soccer.

After winning their last three matches vs. Nashville SC, FC Cincinnati, and New York City FC by a four-goal margin, all signs point to Miami coming away with a fourth straight victory in South Florida. They have veteran stars like Rodrigo De Paul, who has emerged as one of the top box-to-box midfielders in MLS alongside the likes of Kellyn Acosta and Sebastian Berhalter, and Luis Suarez, who is eyeing the latest addition to his stacked trophy cabinet. Above all, though, they have a certain player named Lionel Messi.

The Argentine forward remains one of the best players in world soccer, and he has delivered arguably the finest individual season in MLS history with an astonishing 38 goals and 23 assists in 41 appearances. With the exception of their recent win vs. New York, where he assisted a goal, and their loss to Nashville, where he scored, Messi has racked up 2+ goal contributions in each of his last 8 matches for club and country.

Messi will be going up against a familiar foe in Thomas Muller, who has had the upper hand throughout their respective careers and who has won 7 out of 10 meetings vs. Messi. Considered one of the finest players of his era by journalists like Sid Lowe and Raphael Honigstein, Muller recently surpassed Toni Kroos as the winningest German player of all time after leading Vancouver Whitecaps to the Canadian Championship. And now, he has the chance to lead Vancouver to their first-ever MLS Cup title.

All things considered, tomorrow’s match looks set to be an emotional affair for all those involved. Whilst Miami and Vancouver are both eyeing their maiden MLS Cup, a number of their players have plenty riding on this game. It could very well be Suarez’s final game in a Miami shirt, with the Uruguayan being relegated to the bench by upstart teenager Matteo Silvetti in recent weeks. It will undoubtedly be the final game of Sergio Busquets’ career, with the Spanish midfielder announcing his retirement prior to the postseason. Moreover, it will also be the last match of Jordi Alba’s professional career. Alba has emerged as one of the best fullbacks of all time thanks to his buccaneering runs, his superb crosses, and his marvelous chemistry with Messi. 

Will Müller and co. spoil Alba and Busquets’ swan song? Or will Miami come out on top at home? Stay tuned for what promises to be a fascinating MLS Cup Final.