‘Expect something extraordinary’ – Messi holds high expectations for the 2026 World Cup
Video credit: SNTV
With co-owner David Beckham watching on, Messi set up two goals in the final 20 minutes to secure the win for Miami, who only made their MLS debut in 2020.
Messi was a splash signing when he signed halfway through the 2023 season – and the Argentina World Cup winner has now inspired the club to glory.
“We were fortunate to play at home, a huge joy for the people, so we have to enjoy it.”
Messi’s former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba both called time on their illustrious playing careers following Saturday’s game, with all three sharing the same goal when they were reunited in the summer of 2023.
Messi added: “(It’s) special because we also arrived here together from the beginning, the three of us, and the objective, as I said before, was this, to win this title, which is very important for the growth of the club.
“And I’m truly happy that they can leave in this way, celebrating a title. They are the best friends, I love them very much, I’m grateful to have shared almost my entire career playing with them and ending it with them like this.
“I wish them the best.”
Miami are the 16th club to be crowned MLS champions.
Strikes by Rodrigo De Paul, Tadeo Allende and an Edier Ocampo own goal was the difference in the MLS Cup, as though Vancouver equalised in the second half through Ali Ahmed and were the better team for large parts of the game, Messi’s star power proved too much for the Canadian side on their first appearance in the final.
Inter Miami took a fortuitous lead when Messi helped put Allende in behind and when Ocampo tried to intercept his pass across the face of goal, the Colombian only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net.
Vancouver felt aggrieved not to have a penalty later in the first half when Sabbi tangled with Baltasar Rodriguez and fell in the box, though referee Drew Fisher was unmoved.
However, the Whitecaps finally made their pressure count on the hour mark through a well-worked goal featuring superb hold-up play by Brian White. Fed by Sabbi, he gave Ahmed time to arrive on the left flank and though Rocco Rios Novio got a hand to the shot, he couldn’t stop it nestling in the net.
Sabbi almost gave his side the lead barely a minute later when his shot ricocheted off both posts, then he hit the woodwork again with his follow-up attempt.
And Messi and Miami made them pay soon after, when Messi pick-pocketed Andres Cubas and set up De Paul for a one-on-one that he didn’t miss.
Then, as Vancouver poured forwards desperately hunting for an equaliser, Messi sealed the deal by dinking a sumptuous pass to Allende to score Miami’s third.
“There was a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed,” Beckham said. “I always believed in bringing the team here, and when I found the right partners I knew anything was possible.
“We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”
