Lionel Messi provided two assists as Inter Miami captured their first MLS Cup championship with a 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at Chase Stadium. The eight-time Ballon d\'Or winner was named MLS Cup MVP after his decisive second-half performance secured the title for the South Florida club.
The triumph marks Messi\'s 44th senior career title and his third with Miami since joining in July 2023. Inter Miami previously won the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters\' Shield in 2024.
\"A beautiful, emotional moment for us, for the people of Miami, to be able to achieve the MLS objective,\" Messi told ESPN. \"This was the real objective, to win MLS and be at the top of the American league, and luckily we achieved it.\"
Miami took an early lead through an eighth-minute own goal by Vancouver\'s Édier Ocampo. Vancouver equalized in the 60th minute when Ali Ahmed\'s shot took an unexpected bounce past goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.
Messi changed the match in the 71st minute by stealing possession and feeding Rodrigo De Paul, who restored Miami\'s lead. The Argentine added his second assist in stoppage time, setting up Tadeo Allende for the final goal in the 96th minute.
Messi recorded his 15th goal contribution of the playoffs, establishing a single MLS postseason record. Allende\'s goal was his ninth of these playoffs, also a record.
The victory culminates a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that was last in MLS when Messi arrived. Saturday\'s match also marked the final appearances for retiring Barcelona legends Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Inter Miami becomes the 16th franchise to win an MLS Cup in the league\'s 30-year history. The club, backed by David Beckham\'s ownership group since 2020, will move to a new stadium near Miami International Airport next season.
