Rabat – Lionel Messi has added another trophy to his incredible career, guiding Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup with a 3–1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The win came two and a half years after Messi’s surprising move to Major League Soccer, a decision that changed the sport’s profile in the United States.
Lionel Messi lifts the MLS Cup for Inter Miami 🥳
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/pjWbDSo4C8
— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 6, 2025
Messi’s legacy was already secure with a World Cup and dozens of titles, but he wanted to win in America too. In the final, he showed his class once again. With the score tied at 1–1, Messi stole the ball and delivered a precise pass to Rodrigo De Paul in the 72nd minute.
DePaul finished calmly, giving Miami the lead. In stoppage time, Messi set up Tadeo Allende for the third goal, sealing the win.
Fans in South Florida celebrated loudly, many wearing Messi’s No. 10 shirt. The city, known for success in other sports, now has a soccer champion thanks to him.
Inter Miami became the 16th team in MLS history to lift the trophy, continuing a trend of different clubs winning in recent years.
For David Beckham, co-owner of the club, the triumph was the result of a long journey. His MLS contract allowed him to start a franchise after retiring in 2013, but it took until 2018 to officially launch Inter Miami.
The team began play in 2020 and struggled early, sitting last in the league when Messi arrived in 2023. His arrival transformed the club, turning them into champions.
The MLS Cup is Messi’s 47th career trophy, though some count it as 48 with conference titles included. He has now won more than 20 finals across his career, often alongside former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suarez, and Javier Mascherano.
Busquets and Alba retire as champions, Suarez’s future is uncertain, and Mascherano has already made his mark as coach.
At 38, Messi remains decisive. He won the 2024 MLS MVP and is likely to repeat. His contract could keep him in Miami into his 40s, with the team moving into a new stadium next season.
Beckham summed it up best “Messi came not just to live in Miami, but to win”.
