"Three years ago, I decided to come to the U.S., and today we are MLS champions," Messi stated after Inter Miami defeated Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final on 6/12. "Last year, we were eliminated early from the tournament. The entire team worked hard through a long season, playing many matches, and we achieved this throughout. This is the moment I have waited three years for, and it's also the moment the whole team has been waiting for. We deserve it."

Inter Miami had previously lost two matches to Vancouver Whitecaps, with scores of 2-0 and 3-1, in this season's CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals (a tournament equivalent to the European Champions League). However, in the MLS Cup final rematch, Javier Mascherano's squad successfully avenged those defeats. Messi shone brightly in the decisive match of the season, contributing to all three of Inter Miami's goals and providing two assists. This marks his 48th career title, a world soccer record.

Messi celebrates the MLS Cup championship at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. on 6/12. Photo: AFP

In the MLS Cup playoffs alone, Messi made 15 direct goal contributions in the 2025 season, far surpassing Ante Razov's previous record of 10 goals and assists.

"He put in a lot of effort in recent matches, which shows how important this victory was to him," Coach Mascherano said about Messi. "He came here to win this cup."

The 3-1 result secured Inter Miami their first MLS Cup in history, marking their third title after the 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters' Shield. All these achievements came after Messi joined in 7/2023. Previously, the young club, founded in 2018, was not highly rated in MLS.

The recent final also held special significance, as it marked the final professional appearance in the careers of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, Messi's close teammates at both former club Barca and current club Inter Miami.

"I am happy for what we achieved, and especially for them – ending their careers this way is beautiful and entirely deserved," Messi said about Busquets and Alba. "Today closes a very special chapter, and I wish them the best, two friends I deeply cherish."

Busquets (left) and Alba bid farewell to their careers after the final on 6/12. Photo: Reuters

The legendary trio of Messi, Busquets, and Alba collectively won 19 official titles during their time as teammates. Most of these honors came from their tenure at Barca, where all three played together from 2012 to 2021. This period included the club's second "treble" in the 2014-2015 season, culminating in a Champions League title.

Out of the 19 titles, 16 were secured at Camp Nou, showcasing their near-absolute dominance in Spanish soccer. During this era, the trio formed the core of a team that won 5 La Liga titles, 5 Copa del Rey titles, along with the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Vy Anh