Argentine icon Lionel Messi is on the verge of a significant achievement. His Inter Miami side prepares for the MLS Cup final. They will face the formidable Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Messi arrived in Florida two years ago. His presence instantly transformed Major League Soccer. Now, the 38-year-old star can secure Miami’s first domestic trophy. This is a historic moment for the club.

Inter Miami launched as an expansion team in 2020. They have long awaited this significant moment. Miami enters the final playing their best football of the season.

Their season started shakily. Many had written them off. Yet, Messi’s brilliance fueled a thrilling playoff run. The team scored 17 goals in just five matches.

The Challenge: Vancouver Whitecaps and Thomas Müller

Vancouver presents their toughest challenge. The Canadian side is brimming with confidence. The club has surged since August. This rise followed the arrival of German World Cup winner Thomas Müller. He added a sharp edge to their already lively attack.

Chase Stadium will host a star-studded match. Four World Cup champions will compete. Thomas Müller joins Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul on the field. Marketers have called it a dream fixture.

However, Müller downplays any personal duel. He says the night is not about individual matchups. “It’s not about Messi against Thomas Müller,” he stated. This comment came after Vancouver’s 3-1 win over San Diego. “It’s Miami against the Whitecaps,” he added.

Inter Miami’s Incredible Turnaround

Miami’s presence in the final is truly extraordinary. Back in April, Javier Mascherano’s team struggled. They appeared flat, tired, and predictable. Miami won only two of their first eight matches. A 5-1 aggregate loss to Vancouver deepened the criticism. This happened in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

However, much has changed since then. De Paul’s arrival brought urgency and bite to midfield. Mascherano also made a bold move. He replaced 38-year-old Luis Suárez with 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti. This decision revitalized the attack. The team now appears younger, quicker, and more dangerous.

Coaches and Captains Speak Out

Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen downplays past results. He does not view earlier wins over Miami as a final indicator. “It almost seems like it was last season, right?” Sorensen commented on Thursday. “It’s a new game. Two teams will approach it in their own way. We will see who triumphs on Saturday.”

Messi has kept a low profile since joining MLS. He told ESPN Argentina that home support could be crucial. “We’re in a very good moment. The team is solid and excited,” Messi shared. “Playing at home is a plus. We experienced an inconsistent period. It was hard to win consecutive games. Yet, we always remained strong at home.”

Müller vs. Messi: A Familiar Rivalry

A familiar adversary will stand opposite him. Müller is among the rare players globally with a winning record against Messi. He has secured seven victories in their ten encounters. This record includes the 2014 World Cup final in Rio. It also covers Bayern Munich’s surprising 8-2 win over Barcelona. That match occurred in the 2020 Champions League quarter-final.

“I look back at the past, and I feel very comfortable. Those events are already in the books,” Müller explained. “I gained many great experiences in those games with my teams. It was fun. But it doesn’t really matter for Saturday; it’s a new game.”