Argentine football icon Lionel Messi stands on the brink of history. He is one match away from securing Inter Miami’s first-ever domestic title. The club faces the in-form Vancouver Whitecaps in Saturday’s highly anticipated MLS Cup final.

Messi’s arrival in Florida two years ago transformed Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old superstar dramatically elevated the league’s profile and competitiveness. Now, he is set to clinch Miami’s inaugural domestic trophy. The club, an expansion team since 2020, has long awaited this significant achievement.

Inter Miami enters the final playing their best football all season. Their shaky start initially led many to doubt their chances. However, Messi inspired an incredible surge through the play-offs. The team scored 17 goals in just five matches during this thrilling run.

Their formidable opponent is a confident Vancouver Whitecaps side. The Canadian club has seen a significant boost since August. This came with the arrival of German World Cup winner Thomas Müller. He added a sharp edge to their already potent attack.

World Cup Champions Face Off

The final at Chase Stadium will feature four World Cup champions. Thomas Müller, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul will all be on the field. This high-profile matchup is a marketer’s dream. Yet, Müller downplays any personal duel. He insists the focus remains on the teams.

“It’s not about Messi against Thomas Müller,” Müller stated. He made this comment after Vancouver’s 3-1 win over San Diego in the Western Conference final. “It’s Miami against the Whitecaps.”

Miami’s Remarkable Turnaround

Miami’s presence in the final is truly remarkable. Just in April, Javier Mascherano’s team appeared uninspired. They looked tired and predictable. They managed to win only two of their first eight matches.

A significant 5-1 aggregate defeat to Vancouver in the CONCACAF Champions Cup intensified criticism.

Since then, a profound transformation has occurred. Rodrigo De Paul’s arrival brought urgency and grit to the midfield. Coach Mascherano also made a bold move. He replaced 38-year-old Luis Suárez with 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti, revitalizing the attack. Suddenly, the team appears younger, faster, and more potent.

Coaches’ Perspectives

Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen dismisses the relevance of his team’s earlier victories over Miami. He stated these past results are not indicators for the final.

“It almost seems like it was last season, right?” Sorensen remarked on Thursday. “It’s a new game entirely. Two teams will approach the match in their own distinct ways. We will soon see who emerges victorious on Saturday.”

Messi has largely maintained a low profile since joining MLS. However, he told ESPN Argentina that home support could be crucial. He believes it might be the deciding factor.

“We’re in a very good moment,” Messi stated. “The team is solid and excited. Playing at home is a definite advantage. We experienced a period of inconsistency and struggled to win consecutive games. Yet, at home, we consistently remained strong.”

Müller’s Historical Edge Against Messi

Across the pitch, Messi will face a familiar rival. Thomas Müller holds a rare distinction in world football. He is one of the few players with a winning record against Messi. Müller has secured seven victories in their ten encounters.

Their past clashes include the 2014 World Cup final in Rio. Another notable match was Bayern Munich’s stunning 8-2 victory over Barcelona. This occurred in the 2020 Champions League quarter-final.

“I look back at the past and feel very comfortable with it,” Müller reflected. “Those records are already written. I had many great experiences in those games with my teams; it was fun. However, it doesn’t truly matter for Saturday. This is a brand new game.”