Argentine football icon Lionel Messi stands on the brink of history. His Inter Miami side will face the formidable Vancouver Whitecaps in Saturday’s MLS Cup final. This match marks the culmination of Messi’s remarkable transformation of the club.
Messi arrived in Florida two years ago. His presence instantly reshaped Major League Soccer. The 38-year-old is now close to securing Miami’s first domestic trophy. The club, an expansion team since 2020, has long envisioned this historic achievement.
Inter Miami’s Incredible Transformation and Playoff Run
Inter Miami enters the final playing their best football. Many had initially written them off after a shaky start. However, Messi inspired a thrilling playoff run. The team has scored 17 goals in just five matches.
Miami’s presence in the final still feels extraordinary. In April, Javier Mascherano’s team appeared flat and predictable. They won only two of their first eight matches. Their early form was concerning.
A significant 5-1 aggregate loss to Vancouver increased criticism. This defeat occurred in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Since then, everything has changed.
Rodrigo De Paul brought urgency to the midfield. Mascherano made a bold move. He replaced veteran Luis Suárez with 19-year-old Mateo Silvetti. This refreshed the attack. Miami now looks younger, quicker, and more dangerous.
Vancouver Whitecaps: A Formidable Challenge with Thomas Müller
Vancouver poses a significant challenge. The Canadian club is brimming with confidence. Their surge began with German World Cup winner Thomas Müller’s arrival in August. He added a sharp edge to an already potent attack.
The Chase Stadium encounter features four World Cup champions. Müller, Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul will all be on the pitch. This matchup is a marketer’s dream. However, Müller downplayed the personal duel. He stated the game is not about him versus Messi.
“It’s not about Messi against Thomas Müller,” he declared. Müller spoke after Vancouver’s 3-1 win over San Diego. That victory secured their Western Conference final spot. “It’s Miami against the Whitecaps,” he affirmed.
Key Players and Coaches Speak Ahead of Final Showdown
Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen dismissed past results. He said his team’s earlier wins against Miami are not indicators for the final.
“It almost seems like it was last season, right?” Sorensen remarked on Thursday. “It’s a new game. Two teams will approach it in their unique ways. We will see who triumphs on Saturday.”
Messi has maintained a low profile since joining MLS. He shared his thoughts with ESPN Argentina. Home support could be a crucial factor, he believes.
“We’re in a very good moment,” Messi stated. “The team is solid and excited. Playing at home is a significant advantage. We faced inconsistency earlier in the season. We struggled to win consecutive games. Yet, at home, we always remained strong.”
A familiar adversary will stand opposite Messi. Thomas Müller is one of the few players globally with a winning record against Messi. He boasts seven victories from their ten encounters.
These victories include the 2014 World Cup final in Rio. Another was Bayern Munich’s stunning 8-2 win over Barcelona. This happened in the 2020 Champions League quarter-final.
“I look back at the past comfortably,” Müller reflected. “Those results are already in the books. I had great experiences in those games with my teams. It was fun. However, it doesn’t truly matter for Saturday. It’s a completely new game.”
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