Lionel Messi can add an MLS Cup to his long list of career achievements.
Messi assisted twice Saturday as Inter Miami CF claimed its first MLS championship with a 3-1 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
“A beautiful, emotional moment for us, for the people of Miami, to be able to achieve the MLS objective,” Messi told ESPN. “It’s a very new club, so to speak. When we played before, we were lucky enough to win a title, but this was the real objective, to win MLS and be at the top of the American league, and luckily we achieved it.
“We were fortunate to play at home, a huge joy for the people, so we have to enjoy it.”
Messi already set an MLS Cup Playoffs record heading into Saturday with six goals and seven assists for 13 goal contributions.
He added to that total by setting up fellow Argentina national team member Rodrigo De Paul for the go-ahead goal in the 70th minute of the final
Messi followed that up by setting up an insurance tally from Tadeo Allende in stoppage time.
Fans celebrated as they watched Messi claim the 48th major trophy of his legendary career, while Inter Miami celebrated its first MLS title in six seasons in the league.
Inter Miami earned an early lead thanks to an own goal after an attempted cross by Allende turned into an own goal from Whitecaps fullback Édier Ocampo in the eighth minute.
Vancouver had a chance to tie the game in the 38th minute, but a point-blank chance from Emmanuel Sabbi was turned aside by Miami goaltender Rocco Ríos Novo.
The Whitecaps beat Ríos Novo for the first time in the 60th minute, when Ali Ahmed scored on a shot from the left corner of the box.
Vancouver nearly grabbed the lead just seconds later when Sabbi hit the goalpost.
It was ultimately De Paul’s game-winner that made the difference.
Vancouver finished the game having dominated in possession, holding the ball for 65 percent of the match.
The Whitecaps also led in shot attempts, leading by 10-2 until Miami got four off in the final minutes, and finished with a 4-3 advantage in shots on goal.
Inter Miami was sitting at the bottom of the MLS standings when the club signed Messi in 2023.
Thanks to a lucky bounce on the early own goal, three saves from Ríos Novo and the pair of clutch assists from Messi, the Herons are taking home their first MLS Cup two years later.