Two years after transforming Major League Soccer, Lionel Messi stands ready to deliver the championship Inter Miami has chased since their 2020 inception. Overcoming a dreadful start under Javier Mascherano, the veteran Argentine has engineered a spectacular postseason turnaround, with Miami netting seventeen times across five fixtures.
However, a formidable obstacle remains: a dynamic Vancouver Whitecaps squad led by German icon Thomas Müller. Since arriving in August, Müller has sharpened Vancouver's attack. Saturday’s showdown at Chase Stadium features four World Cup winners, including Sergio Busquets and Rodrigo De Paul, creating a marketer's fantasy. Although Müller dismisses the "Messi versus Müller" narrative, insisting it is strictly a battle between clubs, the intrigue is undeniable. Miami’s resurgence was unimaginable back in April, when a tired team managed just two victories and suffered a heavy CONCACAF defeat against Vancouver. Now, they seek redemption and ultimate glory in this massive, highly anticipated league finale.