Mission Accomplished
Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer in 2025 was met with excitement and skepticism: was he here for fun, or for business? The answer is now etched in history.
Messi and Inter Miami are the MLS Champions of 2025. This trophy marks Messi’s 46th career title (some argue 48th, but two minor trophies are discounted), proving his commitment to the league and silencing critics who thought his craft would become dull.
But this championship was more than just a notch on Messi’s belt; it was the perfect bookend for the careers of two of his most storied teammates.
The Emotional Core: Retirement Galvanizes the Squad
The Inter Miami playoff run was defined by a powerful emotional subplot: the official retirement of legendary midfielders Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
- The Emotional Final: The meaning of the title was clear to the retiring legends. When Inter Miami scored the third goal in the final, both Busquets and Alba “broke down,” crying on the field.
- The Rallying Cry: The playoff team found an edge and a rallying cry in sending their two legends out with a trophy. It galvanized the group, fueling their determination after what was described as an “embarrassing” loss in the previous year.
- Busquets’ Brilliance: Sergio Busquets was praised for being outstanding in the final game, breaking pressure and controlling the midfield just like in his prime.
The Final: Messi’s Dominance vs. Team Imbalance
Inter Miami’s victory was a testament to the sheer, world-class dominance of Lionel Messi. The squad was famously “top-heavy” for much of the 2025 season.
- The Flaws: Analysts noted the team’s defensive gaps, with “shambolic” defensive midfielders and center backs who couldn’t keep up. The win proved that Messi was so sharp that he could make this unbalanced team the best in the MLS.
- The Vancouver Moment: The championship match against Vancouver was tight and tense, with Vancouver taking over the game and making the stadium silent around the 30th minute. However, the game was decided by a moment of magic: one turnover led to a Messi through-ball, sealing the win.
- The American Celebration: The championship party included the classic American tradition of lining the locker room with plastic sheeting to protect the clothes and floor from the champagne and celebratory booze.
Inter Miami 2.0: Raising the Bar for MLS
The championship closes the first chapter of the Messi era in Inter Miami. Now, the club is immediately focused on the future.
- The Next Target: Owner Jorge Mas stated immediately after the final that the next goal is the Champions Cup, signaling a desire to be the best team in the region.
- The Immediate Challenge: The team must now address the immense hole left by Busquets and Alba. Busquets provided world-class relief and the ability to change the game’s pace with a single touch. The club claims to already have replacements for the two legends and one DP spot available.
- The League Impact: Inter Miami’s success is forcing other MLS owners to go out and spend money on good players to compete, raising the competitive bar for the entire league.
The project is finished in this phase, and a new era—Inter Miami 2.0 is officially underway.
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