Messi leads Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup – Müller remains without a title!

Messi leads Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup – Müller remains without a title!

In a thrilling final played in Fort Lauderdale, Inter Miami secured its first MLS Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps. This encounter was not only a sporting highlight, but also a duel between the really big names in football: Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller faced each other in a championship final for the first time. Both stars have celebrated countless titles in their careers, but this very special moment was associated with considerable emotions.

Inter Miami took the lead in the 8th minute with an own goal from Édier Ocampo. The team showed right from the start that they were determined to win the prestigious title. Despite this early lead, Vancouver managed to equalize in the 60th minute through Ali Ahmed. Ahmed made history by becoming the second Canadian to score in an MLS Cup. But Miami had a real game changer on the pitch in Messi, who shone with two precise assists. Rodrigo de Paul put his team back in the lead in the 71st minute before Tadeo Allende tied the score with his goal in stoppage time.

Messi makes things clear

With this triumph, Messi reached another milestone in his career: it was his 47th cup win, making him the most decorated player of all time. Not only has he had a huge impact on Inter Miami in recent years, but he was also a key contributor to their previous success as regular season champions when they won the MLS Supporters' Shield. In this final, Messi was accompanied by numerous supporters who have been enthusiastically following his return to the USA since his move from Europe.

While the game was a complete success for Inter Miami, it was a bitter setback for Thomas Müller. The German, who moved to the Whitecaps after 25 years at Bayern Munich, still has to wait for his first title in Major League Soccer. After the defeat, Müller said that it was the most important game of his career for him and emphasized that the focus was on the team and not just on the duel against Messi.

The future awaits

The players of both teams are now heading into the offseason, in which important decisions have to be made about the squad. Inter Miami will begin the new season on February 21, 2026 against LAFC and will move to their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park. The Vancouver Whitecaps also start their season on the same day against Real Salt Lake and have also qualified for the Concacaf Champions Cup.

A total of over 20,400 spectators attended a public viewing in Vancouver, providing the perfect backdrop for an exciting finale. Despite the defeat, Müller and the Whitecaps still have the opportunity to learn from the experience and come back stronger next season. Inter Miami, with their new, dynamic players and an experienced Messi on board, can hope for an exciting 2026 season.

The bottom line is that this MLS Cup was not just a game, but a sign of the growing interest in soccer in North America and proof that big names continue to make an impact - regardless of the continent on which they play. The 2026 World Cup, which will take place in a new form for the first time with 48 teams, is already casting its shadow ahead and it will be exciting to see how the careers of these two football greats develop further.

For more information about this exciting finale, please also visit the reports from nau.ch and si.com. Also on sportschau.de You will find interesting background information about the two main actors and the entire event.