Argentine football icon Lionel Messi is on the verge of making history. He is just one match away from completing his remarkable transformation of Inter Miami. The club will face the in-form Vancouver Whitecaps in Saturday’s highly anticipated MLS Cup final.

Messi arrived in Florida two years ago. His presence instantly reshaped Major League Soccer’s profile and competitiveness. Now, the 38-year-old star is within reach of Inter Miami’s first domestic trophy. The club, established as an expansion team in 2020, has long awaited this historic moment.

Inter Miami enters the final playing their best football of the season. Many had initially written them off after a shaky start. However, Messi has inspired a thrilling journey through the play-offs. The team scored an impressive 17 goals in just five matches.

Their biggest challenge now comes from a confident Vancouver side. The Canadian club has surged dramatically since August. This surge follows the arrival of German World Cup winner Thomas Müller. He has added a sharp edge to their already lively attack.

The Chase Stadium clash will feature four World Cup champions. Thomas Müller joins Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul on the pitch. This matchup is a marketer’s dream. Yet, Müller insists the night is not about personal duels. Many expect one, but he downplays it.

“It’s not about Messi against Thomas Müller,” he stated. Müller spoke after Vancouver’s 3-1 victory over San Diego in the Western Conference final. “It’s Miami against the Whitecaps,” he added.

Miami’s Resurgence

Inter Miami’s presence in the final still feels extraordinary. Back in April, Javier Mascherano’s team appeared flat. They seemed tired and predictable, winning only two of their first eight matches.

A heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat to Vancouver in the CONCACAF Champions Cup further fueled criticism.

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

Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen dismisses his side’s earlier wins over Miami. He does not see them as an indicator for the final match.

“It almost seems like it was last season, right?” Sorensen commented on Thursday. “This is a new game. Both teams will approach it in their own way. We will see who emerges victorious on Saturday.”

Messi’s Confidence and Müller’s Familiar Challenge

Messi has largely kept a low profile since joining MLS. He told ESPN Argentina that home support could be a decisive factor.

“We’re in a very good moment,” Messi stated. “The team is solid and excited. Playing at home offers a significant advantage. We faced an inconsistent period, struggling to win back-to-back games. However, we always remained strong when playing on our home turf.”

A familiar adversary will stand opposite Messi. Thomas Müller is one of the few players globally with a winning record against him. Müller has claimed seven victories in their ten encounters.

These victories include the 2014 World Cup final in Rio. Another notable win was Bayern Munich’s shocking 8-2 triumph over Barcelona. This occurred in the 2020 Champions League quarter-final.

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