Inter Miami Captures First MLS Cup, Defeats Vancouver 3–1 Behind Messi’s Brilliance

Inter Miami’s rise from expansion growing pains to the top of Major League Soccer reached its dramatic and historic peak on Saturday night. Backed by a roaring crowd at a packed Chase Stadium, Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 to claim the 2025 MLS Cup — the club’s first-ever league championship and the crowning achievement of a turnaround that began the moment Lionel Messi arrived in July 2023.

The win marks Miami’s third major trophy in the Messi era, following the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 Supporters’ Shield. But MLS Cup stands alone as the biggest prize for a franchise launched in 2020 with the vision and backing of David Beckham. And for Messi, who was named MLS Cup MVP, the title is his astounding 44th senior trophy — extending the résumé of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in what has been one of the most storied careers in the history of the sport.

Inter Miami wasted no time seizing momentum. Just eight minutes into the match, Miami’s Tadeo Allende fired a dangerous shot that ricocheted off Vancouver defender Édier Ocampo and slipped past goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. The own goal sent Chase Stadium into an early frenzy and gave Miami a 1–0 lead.

Despite the quick punch, Miami couldn’t fully capitalize in the first half. Vancouver settled into the match and began to dictate the tempo, with captain and Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller orchestrating the attack. The Whitecaps pressed aggressively and found pockets of space, hinting at an equalizer before the halftime whistle.

Vancouver’s persistence finally paid off in the 60th minute. Ali Ahmed unleashed a strike that seemed destined for a routine save until an awkward bounce fooled Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo, sneaking into the net to tie the match at 1–1.

From that moment, it felt as though the Whitecaps — the underdogs storming into South Florida — might steal the storyline.

But then, as he has done countless times on the world’s biggest stages, Messi authored the turning point.

In the 71st minute, Messi pounced on a loose ball deep in Vancouver territory and instantly shifted into playmaker mode. With a perfectly weighted pass, he sprung fellow Argentine Rodrigo De Paul on a breakaway. De Paul coolly tucked his shot past Takaoka to restore Miami’s lead and reawaken the stadium.

Chants of “Messi! Messi!” echoed through the stands as the momentum swung back decisively. Vancouver pushed desperately for another equalizer, but left openings that would soon prove costly.

Deep into stoppage time, Miami put the match to bed. In the 96th minute, Messi once again worked his magic, threading an assist to Allende, who buried the shot for his record ninth goal of the MLS postseason.

The stadium erupted — players, staff, and fans celebrating as months of expectation, pressure, and belief culminated in Miami’s greatest moment.

Messi’s assist was his 15th goal contribution of the playoffs, the most by any player in a single MLS postseason.

The final whistle also marked the end of an era for two of soccer’s icons. Sergio Busquets, after one last touch of the ball, retired alongside teammate and fellow Barcelona great Jordi Alba. Both had followed Messi to Miami and played vital roles in reshaping the franchise on and off the pitch.

Saturday was also the culmination of a 12-year mission for Beckham, who retired in 2013 with a unique option in his MLS contract allowing him to launch a club at a discounted rate. After years of setbacks and delays, the franchise officially came to life in 2018, partnered with local businessmen Jorge and José Mas.

Now, Beckham’s vision has its crowning achievement: Inter Miami has become the 16th club in MLS’s 30-year history to win an MLS Cup. Their victory continues a remarkable era of parity in the league — five different champions in five years, eight in nine seasons.

Messi, now 38 and already the 2024 MLS MVP, is a frontrunner to win the award again. His current contract could keep him in Miami into his early 40s, and nothing suggests he’s slowing down when it matters most.

Next season, Inter Miami will move into a brand-new stadium near Miami International Airport — and with Messi, De Paul, Allende, and first-year coach Javier Mascherano at the helm, they won’t be shy about targeting a repeat.

For now, though, Miami celebrates its first MLS Cup — a story of patience, reinvention, and the transformative presence of the greatest player ever to grace an MLS pitch.