For Lionel Messi, Saturday’s MLS Cup final represents both a significant conclusion and a potential fresh start.
Messi and Inter Miami will go head-to-head against their rivals, led by Thomas Muller and Vancouver, in the championship match of Major League Soccer. This final marks the first for both teams, and it will result in the crowning of an inaugural MLS champion.
For Messi, however, it signifies the end of various chapters. This match is set to be the last hosted at Inter Miami’s current venue, as the club plans to relocate to a new stadium near Miami International Airport next season. Furthermore, unless something significant changes, it will likely be his final game alongside longtime teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, who both intend to retire after this match, with Luis Suarez possibly joining them.
“I’m incredibly thankful for my career, the teams I’ve been part of, and all the experiences,” Alba expressed in Spanish on Thursday. “It’s an emotional week knowing this is my last match… I hope to conclude my career on a high note by winning the final.”
That said, Messi doesn’t need this victory to enhance his legacy. Widely acclaimed as the greatest player in history, he has secured a remarkable 46 titles with clubs and national teams worldwide, and the outcome on Saturday won’t alter that reputation. The same applies to Muller, the German legend who triumphed over Messi in the World Cup final.
However, one player will make history on Saturday. If Vancouver prevails, Muller will become the first individual to claim both a World Cup and an MLS Cup. Conversely, if Inter Miami wins, Messi, Rodrigo de Paul, and Busquets will be the first trio to be crowned champions of both the World Cup and MLS.
“We’ll have four World Cup winners on the field,” said Mascherano. “I think that’s an intriguing prospect for the league.”
Muller has accumulated over 30 trophies at the club and international levels, but when asked how the MLS Cup ranks among them, he responded, “Right now, it’s my top priority. The final is what we’re focused on. For me, this match is the most significant event of my life.”
He then paused to enjoy a light-hearted moment. “That’s a good line, isn’t it?” he joked, chuckling.
Clearly, the MLS Cup is a coveted goal for both teams. This is Inter Miami’s opportunity to validate their decision to recruit the Barcelona quartet (Messi, Alba, Suarez, and Busquets). For Vancouver, which has defeated Inter Miami twice in the CONCACAF Champions League this season, it’s a chance to secure a trophy against Messi.
“They outplayed us in April,” Mascherano acknowledged. “But we are in a different place now, heading into this final with new confidence and players, aware of their strengths.”
Recently…
Inter Miami has shown a strong record of 10 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss in their last 13 regular-season matches. They demonstrated dominance during the MLS Playoffs, winning three games with a combined score of 13-1.
Vancouver, on the other hand, holds a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses in their past 13 games, allowing a total of just 17 goals over their last 17 matches against MLS opponents.
Home Edge
In recent history, teams competing in their home stadium have claimed 11 out of the last 14 MLS Cup titles. Among the three teams that lost in this situation, two faced defeat in penalty shootouts.
Vancouver secured a victory against Inter Miami in the CONCACAF semifinals in April. Since then, Inter Miami has achieved a record of 16 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses across all competitions at home.
Reported by Associated Press.
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The upcoming MLS Cup final not only marks a pivotal point in the careers of star players like Messi but also symbolizes a significant moment in soccer history for North America. As the league continues to grow, this match could serve as a catalyst for elevating soccer’s status in the U.S. and further solidifying its importance on the global stage.
