MESSI LEADS MIAMI

When Lionel Messi lifted the trophy after a 3–1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, it wasn’t just another night of magic; it was the moment he'd waited three years for.

After arriving in North America with hopes and pressure galore, Messi and Inter Miami CF are now MLS champions.

With two assists, one for Rodrigo de Paul in the 71st minute and another for Tadeo Allende deep in stoppage time, Messi played a defining role in the final and was deservedly named Finals MVP.  

It capped off a season in which he racked up 29 goals and 19 assists, putting him just one goal contribution shy of the league record.

After the final whistle, Messi didn’t hide his emotion. “Three years ago, I came to MLS, and today we are MLS champions,” he 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.”

The road hasn’t been easy. Inter Miami stumbled through rough patches last season and even exited early from the CONCACAF Champions Cup. But this year, the entire squad dug in. The defence held firm, the midfield battled hard, and the attack was clinical. Under first-year coach Javier Mascherano, the club turned setbacks into fuel, culminating in this historic triumph.

For Messi, this isn’t just another trophy. It’s the first major league title of his MLS career and probably one of the sweetest. He’s added silverware to a legendary career that spans continents and decades, and now, with Miami’s fans roaring and the club’s future looking brighter than ever, he’s finally got the MLS crown that’s eluded him.

Image credit: CNN