Thomas Müller knows perfectly what it’s like to face Lionel Messi with a trophy at stake. And he also knows what it takes to win in those moments.The 2025 MLS Cup final, which will pit Messi and Inter Miami against Müller and the Vancouver Whitecaps, will not have many comparisons in terms of personnel with the 2014 World Cup final and the 2010 World Cup quarter-final between Argentina and Germany.Germany, with Müller, won both times. Messi played in those matches for Argentina, as did Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. Everyone will meet again on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, with Müller surely knowing that facing Messi doesn’t automatically mean a defeat.
Then he added: “Maybe they trust him a little more than we do me, because we are a very good group”.What Messi thinks of the matchup, as he has faced Müller 10 times in various competitions and his team has only won three of them, is a mystery and will likely remain so. Inter Miami rarely makes Messi available for interviews.However, this is what is known: Messi arrived at Inter Miami in mid-2023 with the goal of winning an MLS Cup, something that seemed far-fetched at the time, considering that when he joined the club it was at the bottom of the league. A victory on Saturday would fulfill his goal and crown a season in which Messi also won the MLS Golden Boot as top scorer, in addition, very likely, a second consecutive league MVP award.It’s not Messi against Thomas Müller. It’s Miami against the Whitecaps.
Thomas Müller
The MLS final arrives as part of a big week for soccer in North America.The FIFA World Cup draw for next year’s men’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is on Friday in Washington D.C. along with the initial awarding of the organization’s peace prize which many expect the group to give to President Donald Trump. MLS, if the previous form is maintained, seems likely to announce the MVP award winner this week. And college football is approaching its championship rounds. The men’s Division I quarterfinals are next weekend along with the start of the women’s Division I College Cup.It’s not that neither Messi nor Müller need a victory on Saturday to complete some kind of validation. Their resumes and legacies were secured long ago: both are World Cup winners, both are Champions League winners, both are Club World Cup winners.But just like Messi, Müller arrived in the MLS, joining Vancouver four months ago, seeking a title in that league to add to the list. The opportunity has arrived.Even though he’s the best in history… it’s unfair to believe he’s going to win every match. Everyone has raised their level.
Javier Mascherano
I enjoy watching it. I have the feeling that Miami is a very strong team. We saw them beat New York in a really strong way. It’s a great final. I wanted this final. And here we go. I think it’s great for everyone.
Thomas Müller
