Fort Lauderdale, FL – In a historic moment for the club, Inter Miami CF secured their first-ever MLS Cup title with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday at Chase Stadium. Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar and captain of Inter Miami, was named the MLS Cup MVP presented by Audi, capping off a stellar performance with two assists.

The match, played in front of a sold-out crowd of 21,556, marked the end of an era at Chase Stadium, as Inter Miami prepares to move to their new home, Miami Freedom Park, next year. The victory also signified the culmination of Inter Miami's rapid ascent since Messi's arrival in July 2023.

The game began with an early breakthrough for Inter Miami in the 8th minute, as Vancouver's Édier Ocampo deflected Tadeo Allende's cross into his own net. Vancouver, however, responded in the 60th minute when Ali Ahmed's shot found the back of the net, leveling the score.

Messi then took over, orchestrating Inter Miami's attack with his signature vision and precision. In the 71st minute, he dispossessed a Vancouver midfielder and threaded a perfect pass to Rodrigo De Paul, who slotted the ball home to restore Miami's lead. In the 96th minute, Messi delivered another masterful assist, chipping the ball over the Vancouver defense to find Allende, who sealed the victory with a composed finish. Allende's goal was his record-breaking ninth in the MLS Cup playoffs.

"This is the moment I had been waiting for, and that we, as a team, were waiting for," Messi said after the match. "It's very beautiful for all of us. They deserved it".

Inter Miami's coach, Javier Mascherano, praised Messi's impact on the team, noting his commitment and effort throughout the season. "He came here to win this trophy," Mascherano stated.

The victory marked Messi's 47th career trophy, extending his record as the most decorated player in football history. It was also a significant moment for veterans Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who announced their retirement after the season, ending their careers with another title. Messi, De Paul, and Busquets became the first players to have won both the World Cup and the MLS Cup.

Vancouver, despite the loss, had a strong season, finishing second in the Western Conference with an 18-7-9 record. The Whitecaps defeated San Diego FC 3-1 in the Western Conference final to reach their first MLS Cup final.

The match was also notable for the intense heat, with a kickoff temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) and 60% humidity.

With the MLS Cup victory, Inter Miami secured their third trophy since Messi's arrival, adding to their 2023 Leagues Cup and 2024 Supporters' Shield titles. Messi, who also won the 2025 MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals and 19 assists, is favored to win his second consecutive Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. After signing a contract extension through 2028, Messi will aim to continue his success with Inter Miami at the new Miami Freedom Park next season.