Drew Fischer put the whistle in his mouth and signaled the end of the match. Messi raised his arms to the sky. I had just guided the InterMiami towards its first LMS title, the North American league which was also missing … to the Argentinian star. At the same time, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets They melted into an embrace. They knew that from this moment on, nothing would be the same. With the referee’s whistle, his long and prolific sporting career also came to an end after announcing his decision to hang up his boots a few weeks ago. He Vancouver Whitecaps de Müller couldn’t do anything in the grand final against Inter Miami. The elegant Florida city was thrilled by the triumph of the team, founded just seven years ago and led by the no less glamorous David Beckham. Ocampoat your door, Rodrigue de Paul And Teo Allende they scored the locals’ goals. Ahmad did that of the Canadians. Leo gave two assists.
Inter Miami played the final at home (the competition determines that it will be played by the team that scored the most points in the regular phase) and started as the big favorite after a season in which it had finally found stability and balance. Under the direction of Javier Mascheranothe Herons had consolidated a recognizable style: the leadership of Messi, the experience of Busquets and Jordi Alba, and the energy of a young base which allowed them to maintain a competitive pace throughout the campaign. For his part, Vancouver Whitecaps He gradually gained the respect of the league, having a solid season in the Western Confederation, strong, competitive away from home and able to survive very difficult qualifying rounds. His tall silhouette, Thomas Mullerthe bane of Messi, against whom he had won seven of the ten duels he faced. Leo, for his part, has arrived in one of his best times, if he’s ever had a bad or an average one. In total, he has scored 61 goals in 2025 in MLS, surpassing the 52 scored by Carlos Vela in 2019.
And at 38, Leo was the protagonist again. He wanted to play and he showed it. In the eighth minute, he revived Inter to open the scoring. He started the game, even though he scored the goal Edier Ocampo own goal when trying to clear a ball. The goal put the Colombian defender off center, who remained out of the game for the entire first half and was even reprimanded for rolling over. Balthazar. Even if the Canadians insisted in the final stretch of the first act, Messi’s pink team held on until reaching the showers with the slightest advantage on the scoreboard. Good performance of Rios Novothe local goalkeeper, and Jordi Alba’s pressure on the referee, like when he played in Spain. The game had become quite tough with borderline mistakes.
The second half provided images that awakened the nostalgia of all the Barcelona fans watching the match. Minute 56. Measured center of Jordi Alba it erases TakaokaVancouver goalkeeper, and coming from behind, Messi heads the ball. The ball passed a few millimeters from the post. How Leo will miss his left wing partner, the one who gave him so many goals and who from tomorrow will leave the left wing to start enjoying the family more.
The Canadian team’s insistence was rewarded. Ahmed equalized (min. 60) with a low shot that the Inter Miami goalkeeper could not properly repel. Vancouver grew and two minutes later they were able to take the lead after a double goal.
It seemed written that Messi had to make Inter history and that Alba and Busquets They had to withdraw with an important victory. And the Argentinian created the Herons’ second goal. Min 71. The Argentinian recovers a ball, filters a magnificent pass for his friend From Paulconfidant in Miami and in the national team to once again put the roses in the lead.
The seven minutes of overtime seemed eternal to Miami, who exploded with joy at the final whistle. Messi celebrated it in a big way. Also Alba and Busquetstwo of the best players Spain has produced. Jordi Alba cried inconsolably after the goal Teo Allende in the extension. Mascherano went crazy celebrating in style with the Hospitalet team.