Argentine legend Lionel Messi is on the verge of a historic achievement. He is one match away from crowning his transformation of Inter Miami. The club faces the in-form Vancouver Whitecaps in Saturday’s MLS Cup final.

Messi arrived in Florida two years ago. His presence instantly boosted Major League Soccer’s profile. Now, the 38-year-old star can win Inter Miami’s first domestic trophy. The club, formed in 2020, has long awaited this moment.

The Road to the Final

Miami enters the final playing their best football of the season. A shaky start led many to doubt their chances. Yet, Messi has inspired a thrilling journey through the play-offs. The team has scored an impressive 17 goals in five matches.

Their biggest challenge is a confident Vancouver side. The Canadian club has surged since August. That’s when German World Cup winner Thomas Müller joined. His arrival sharpened an already lively attack.

The match at Chase Stadium will feature four World Cup champions. Müller joins Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul on the field. It has been called a marketer’s dream. However, Müller insists the night is not about personal rivalry.

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

Inter Miami’s Remarkable Turnaround

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

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

However, everything changed afterwards. De Paul’s arrival brought urgency and bite to the midfield. Mascherano also made a bold decision. He replaced 38-year-old Luis Suárez with 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti. This move revitalized the attack. Suddenly, the team is younger, quicker, and more dangerous.

Coaches and Players Speak Out

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

“It almost seems like it was last season, right?” Sorensen said on Thursday. “It’s a new game. It’s two teams that approach the game in their way. We will see who comes out on top come Saturday.”

Messi has maintained a low profile since moving to MLS. He told ESPN Argentina that home support could be crucial.

“We’re in a very good moment,” he said. “The team is solid and excited. Playing at home is a plus. We were inconsistent for a while and struggled to win back-to-back games. But at home, we always stayed strong.”

Messi vs. Müller: A Familiar Rivalry

Standing opposite Messi will be a familiar foe. Thomas Müller is one of the few players globally with a winning record against him. Müller has claimed seven victories in their ten meetings.

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

“I look back in the past, and I feel very comfortable with that,” Müller reflected. “That’s already in the books. I had many great experiences in these games with my teams, so it was fun. But it doesn’t really matter for Saturday; it’s a new game.”