Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup title on Saturday, masterminding a 3-1 triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida.
The Argentine superstar set up two goals and played a key role in a third, sparking wild celebrations at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Miami initially took the lead through an early Edier Ocampo own goal, only for Vancouver’s Ali Ahmed to equalize in the second half. But Messi soon turned the game on its head, assisting Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul for the go-ahead goal before providing the pass for Tadeo Allende’s injury-time strike to seal the victory.
The win represents a crowning achievement for co-owner David Beckham, who had long dreamed of bringing glory to Miami. “There were a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed,” Beckham said. “We promised our fans we would bring success and the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”
Vancouver, led by German legend Thomas Müller, had looked in control after Ali Ahmed’s 60th-minute equalizer, nearly taking the lead moments later when Emmanuel Sabbi’s effort struck both posts.
But Miami capitalized on a rare lapse by Andres Cubas, with Messi intercepting the midfielder’s hesitation and racing forward to release De Paul for the decisive strike. Allende added the final flourish in injury time, converting Messi’s pass to make it 3-1.
The victory marks the culmination of Inter Miami’s meteoric rise since joining MLS as an expansion club in 2020 and successfully luring Messi in 2023. Saturday also signaled the end of an era for key veterans Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, both of whom retired following the triumph.
