Lionel Messi inspired Inter Miami to their first ever MLS Cup title on Saturday, playing a starring role in a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in Florida.
The Argentina superstar provided two assists and helped create another to spark wild celebrations before a rapturous home crowd at the Chase Stadium.
“This is the moment that I’ve been waiting for, and that we as a team have been waiting for,” Messi, named MLS Cup Most Valuable Player, said afterwards. Miami took the lead in the eighth minute via an Edier Ocampo own goal, but were left reeling by Ali Ahmed’s 60th-minute equaliser for Vancouver.
But Messi then laid on an assist for Rodrigo De Paul to put Miami 2-1 in the 71st minute before supplying the pass for Tadeo Allende’s injury time goal that sealed victory.
The victory also heralded the end of an era for two key figures in Miami’s rise to the top of MLS, with Messi’s former Barcelona teammates Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets heading into retirement.
“That was one of the main objectives — to say goodbye to two friends. And we did it in the best way to two of the best players,” eight-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi said.
47
No. of titles won by Lionel Messi in his career
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