Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to their first MLS Cup title on Saturday, in Florida, with a 3-1 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Two assists and a crucial play by Argentina’s Messi energized the home crowd at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium.
Miami scored first thanks to an own goal, but Ali Ahmed equalized for Vancouver later.
Messi then set up Rodrigo De Paul, putting Miami ahead 2-1 before assisting Tadeo Allende’s winning goal.

The MLS title win offered sweet validation for co-owner David Beckham, who had always hoped to bring success to Miami.
“There were a lot of sleepless nights, but I always believed,” Beckham said afterwards. “I have always believed in bringing the team here; when I found the right partners, I knew anything was possible.”
“We always promised our fans that we would bring success, and bring the best players, and today we’ve achieved that.”
Vancouver, with German legend Thomas Mueller leading them, seemed favored after overcoming Ocampo’s early own goal and then equalizing with Ali Ahmed in the 60th.
Miami narrowly avoided going down after the equaliser when Sabbi’s shot hit both posts in the 62nd minute.

However, the Canadians were stunned when Miami retook the lead after a mistake by midfielder Andres Cubas, despite the Whitecaps’ dominance.
Messi robbed Cubas, then passed to De Paul, who scored.
Miami’s party began with Messi’s assist to Allende in injury time for the third goal, making it 3-1, as Vancouver failed to recover from that blow.
This victory is the high point for Inter Miami after Messi joined in 2023.

With former Spanish internationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets retiring, Saturday’s victory also signaled the end of an era for two significant players in Miami’s ascent to the top of Major League Soccer.