Muller makes MLS Cup final more difficult — Messi admits

Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has admitted that Thomas Müller's playing for Vancouver Whitecaps will make the MLS Cup final against the Canadians more competitive. 

Messi and Inter Miami were knocked out of the first round of the MLS Playoffs last season despite a record-setting league campaign. 

However, while they were unable to retain the Supporters Shield title this season, they have reached the ultimate stage in the post-season tournament. They will face Vancouver in the final on Saturday, December 6th. 

Messi had a recent interview with MLS Espanyol; the 38-year-old discussed the playoff final against Vancouver, praising the German for being a tough competitor across his career. 

"First of all, it’s really great that Müller has come to play in the MLS, and the wide impact that created,” Messi said, per Albiceleste Talk. “It’s also nice that this final is happening again and that we get to face each other once more.

"We have faced Vancouver before, and we know very well the quality of the team they have. They were a consistent team throughout the year; they finished among the top teams and competed in all tournaments until the end, just as we did.

"We know very well that it will be a very, very difficult match. And Müller joining that team certainly makes them stronger. It also adds more momentum and greater interest to the match and to the team. It will be a very special final, and we hope it goes in our favour.”

Messi has been the season-long engine for Inter Miami, scoring 29 goals and providing 19 assists in the regular campaign and a hot playoff run that put the Herons into the final. 

Müller, who joined Vancouver in August 2025, has been hugely influential in that time frame: he scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists in just seven regular-season appearances for the Whitecaps and then helped drive their deep playoff run to reach the club’s first MLS Cup. 

Historically, Müller holds the edge in their personal rivalry. The former Bayern Munich star has beaten Messi seven times, scoring five goals and providing two assists in games against the Argentine. Messi has only managed three victories against the Germans, scoring twice and assisting once. 

Additionally, Vancouver have a superior head-to-head record against Inter Miami. They knocked them out of the CONCACAF Champions League, beating them home and away with a 5–1 aggregate score. The Herons, however, won the last MLS meeting against the Whitecaps.