The best in the U.S.! Messi's Inter Miami lifts the MLS Cup

The Inter Miami is the champion of the U.S. after winning the MLS Cup on Sunday by defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3 to 1.

Those coached by Javier Mascherano had the presence of Messi in the last professional match of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who are retiring from football while lifting the cup.

An own goal by Édier Ocampo in the 8th minute after a good play by Messi and De Paul, ending with a cross from Allende. After the goal, the team from Miami struggled to control the game and suffered a bit more from the Vancouver team, who had some clear chances before the end of the first half, despite the weak performance of their star, Thomas Müller.

The Canadians also performed better in the second half, until they equalized in the 60th minute, followed by a shot that hit the U.S. post by Sabbi.

The Miami team stretched out and Rodrigo De Paul scored, assisted by Leo Messi. In stoppage time, Allende made it 3-1, and the celebration couldn't be stopped.

Messi reached 47 titles in his career, the most of any player in history, on the last day for two of his best friends from Barcelona.

The road to the final

The growth of Inter Miami was captured in their journey through the postseason.

The team, which finished third in the East during the regular season, defeated Nashville in a series that required three games: they won 3-1 and 4-0 in Miami, with a loss of 2-1 in Tennessee that led to the tiebreaker.

Then they crushed Cincinnati 4-0 in the semifinals before the 5-1 victory against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference Final.

In total, he scored 13 goals and conceded only one in his last three matches.

The transformation of the club since Messi's arrival in 2023, when it was occupying the bottom positions in the league, contrasts with the reality of its first five seasons, during which it never advanced past the first round of the Playoffs.

The conquest of the Supporters' Shield in 2023 and the title of Leagues Cup were the first steps; now, the team has been crowned champion of the MLS, the most important award.