Thomas Müller has long held the edge in his storied rivalry with Lionel Messi. The German forward has won seven of their ten career head-to-head encounters, and his teams knocked Messi’s Argentina out of the World Cup not once, but twice.
Yet on Saturday, in the latest chapter of their rivalry, the script finally flipped. Lionel Messi claimed the 47th trophy of his legendary career, leading Inter Miami to a 3-1 victory over Müller’s Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final and ending his third MLS season in silverware.
“Three years ago, I decided to come to MLS, and today we are MLS champions," Messi said in a quote distributed by MLS. “We reached the semifinals of the (CONCACAF) Champions Cup. Last year we went out early in the league and were eliminated in the first round. This year, winning MLS was one of our main objectives." Messi set up the go-ahead goal — a feed to Rodrigo De Paul in the 72nd minute — then added another assist in stoppage time to deliver Inter Miami its first championship in franchise history.
“The team made a huge effort — it was a very long year, with many matches — and we were up to the task all season," Messi said. "This is the moment I had been waiting for, and that we, as a team, were waiting for. It's very beautiful for all of us. They deserved it.” Both Messi and Müller had already secured their soccer legacies long before Saturday's match. Each is a World Cup and Champions League winner. And both are Club World Cup winners.
Both arrived in MLS chasing the same prize: one last league title to crown their glittering careers. And even at this stage, with nothing left to prove, the hunger was unmistakable.
Müller—the man who ended Messi’s World Cup dreams in the 2014 final and the 2010 quarterfinal—slammed his palm into the turf in frustration as Vancouver fell behind to an early own goal, briefly fought back to 1-1 in the 60th minute, then slipped away again.
Yet when the trophy was lifted and Messi was named MVP, Müller stood on the podium with a smile, clapping warmly and flashing a thumbs-up to his old rival turned league foe.
“When you reach out for something, it hurts even more when you don't get it,” said Vancouver coach Jesper Sørensen. “I told (the team) we've never been dreamers. I think Thomas said it when he came in. We're hard workers. We worked hard today. We had the game at 1-1 where we wanted it. ... Then we made a mistake and the ball dropped for Messi. And he played a very, very good pass for Rodrigo.” For Messi, the match ended with his teammates jumping into his arms.
Jordi Alba, who is retiring along with Sergio Busquets, burst into tears and fell to the ground, as the reality of going out as a champion began to sink in.
“Today something very beautiful ends for them, something to which they dedicated their whole lives,” Messi said. "Now a new life begins for them. I wish them the very best, because they are two friends I care for deeply. I'm happy they can leave with this title.” Messi, his new medal dangling from his neck, embraced Inter Miami co-owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham, who brought in the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner three years ago when Inter Miami was near the bottom of the league and faced a steep ascent to the top.
“I'm very happy for him,” said first-year Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. “I'm very happy because of the season that he played. ... For him it was very, very special and very important to win this trophy. He came here to win this trophy.”
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