Lionel Messi hailed a "beautiful, emotional moment' after his brace of assists secured a first-ever MLS Cup title for Inter Miami after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 on Saturday. The victory completes a dramatic turnaround for a club that was languishing in the MLS basement when the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner arrived in Miami as the biggest signing in league history in July 2023.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are playing in the warmest MLS Cup final in the league’s history.

Messi – along with fellow Argentinian midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets – now become the first players to win a World Cup and an MLS Cup in their careers.