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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A brace of assists from Lionel Messi secured a first-ever MLS Cup title for Inter Miami CF 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 MLS history in July 2023.


It was the 48th title of Messi's career and third with Miami, having helped the team to the Leagues Cup in 2023 and Supporters' Shield in 2024. MLS Cup, though, is the biggest trophy so far for a club that launched with the backing of David Beckham in 2020.

At a packed Chase Stadium in South Florida, the home side took an early lead thanks to an own goal scored by Vancouver's Édier Ocampo in the eighth minute. Forced by a shot from Miami's Tadeo Allende, the ball deflected off Ocampo and past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.

Despite the instant advantage for Miami, and some scrappy plays that led to regaining possession, the Whitecaps then gradually took charge in the remainder of the first half.

With captain and Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller pulling plenty of the strings, the visitors were proactive in the final third before the halftime whistle. Following the midway break, Vancouver's relentless pressure found an even higher gear. In the second half, head coach Jesper Sørensen pushed his team further up the field, leading to a goal from Ali Ahmed in the 60th minute that tied the match at 1-1.

At first appearing to be a straightforward save, Ahmed's shot took an unexpected late bounce that snuck its way beyond the fingertips of Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.

The narrative of the plucky underdogs coming into town and stealing the spotlight appeared to be set. That is, until the biggest star on the pitch took over in the second half. Messi, cleverly stealing the ball in the opposition's half in the 71st minute, then made a dangerous pass to a sprinting De Paul.

ThierryJay:
Lol @ kids being problematic. Pele, I dey battle my own here too

Don't think Miami will bottle it this time around though. In fact I dey suspect Miami will hand out a big lesson like a 4-1 in that match just like they've been doing throughout the ko rounds.

Good to hear from you again bro.

ThierryJay:
The Goat just added another trophy to his record collection. 47 and counting. We will now use Finallisima, MLS cup and World cup to round am up to 50!

What Messi is achieving with this Inter Miami team is simply outstanding. This is a team with no assembled heavyweights. The friends of Messi there are old and all retiring by end of this season.

So for Messi to carry a baggage of the old and feeble plus the young and inexperienced to multiple trophies the club has never won before in its entire existence is an incredible feat and that is why he is the greatest player of all time. Mr do and talk after.

Congratulations to him for achieving 405 assists, the highest ever in football history. That Puskas had 404 assists is even still a doubted statistic as some sources put it at 359 or so. Any way, the Goat has eclipsed all of that.

@Almiron, how's Canada bro. Make una tell ur Vancouver boys to stand down o. GOAT must carry that cup

Numerouno94:
Almiron where have u been? U enta Canada kun 4get ur boys. Btw, tell ur fellow Canadian boys @ Vancouver that Inter Miama has got the cup so make them just rest.

Hope u cool bro.

EyeCumInPeace:
That's why he is the Assistant Goat. 🐐

Sonofgod1990:
Man united are back on track

EPL is for united
No doubt

Argentina captain Lionel Messi on Wednesday set a new record for the most assists in international football.

The Inter Miami forward achieved the feat after providing two assists against Puerto Rico in an international friendly at Chase Stadium.

Messi assisted two goals in his side’s 6-0 win, overtaking former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar’s tally for Brazil.

The 38-year-old provided an assist on each half for Argentina, taking his tally for the La Albiceleste to 60.

Messi now has one assist than Neymar has managed for Brazil.

He reached 60 assists for Argentina in 194 appearances, also scoring 114 goals in those matches.

As for Neymar, he reached 59 assists in 128 games for the Selecao.

Seun:
Dear Nairalanders,

We are ramping things up. Here are some things we have done recently:

1. We gave Nairaland's theme a little facelift, fixing buttons, pagination, separators, and other little things.

2. We implemented a dark mode for Nairaland with the most intuitive UX: a sun toggle on your upper right.

3. We further relaxed the minimum character rule because many people were still struggling with it.

We are also trying to make our moderation bot (aka antispam bot) more accurate. Bear with us on that.

What else do you want us to work on?

Best Regards.

Numerouno94:
Amen oo boss. Family they fine, we dey beg them to understand.
How baby na?

OJEEMAH:
Thanks bro. I understand. I’m in Calgary, Alberta. How about you?

Numerouno94:
I'm happy for u boss. U and Almiron don run leave us go Canada. Na me and ThierryJay remain now to join una.

As for the washing how we go take do am na? Which kind detergent we go use na?

OJEEMAH:
Thanks my guy. Almiron suppose do welcome party for me…..Maybe na Venus you and Thierryjay de plan😊

Stain removal nor go bad oh

Pat081:
Everyday can never b odun you loss some win some just like that man city today

NonsenseRubbish:
Hater alert !!!
Why you so pained 😭😭 Cry more

Okhuadams:
In he far more better than your entire generation he far more worthy than you can ever be in this life kiss the bitter truth

Peacecore:
Brotherly this news dey sweeeet body ehhh
Our team win again
Normally Almiron my gee dey carry las for this kain news

Angelfrost:
I just knew Almiron would waste no time rushing to front page with this...!


Ronaldo and his team mates were so CLOSE to winning this... So close, yet so far away.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for a first trophy with Al-Nassr continues after the Riyadh giants suffered a painful defeat to Al-Ahli on penalties in Saturday’s Saudi Super Cup final.

This is despite the Portuguese star opening the scoring in regulation time.

The clash, staged in Hong Kong as part of the Kingdom’s global sporting expansion, ended 2–2 after 90 minutes before Al-Ahli held their nerve in the shootout to lift the trophy.

Ronaldo struck in the 40th minute, calmly dispatching a penalty after Al-Ahli defender Ali Majrashi was judged to have handled inside the box.

His finish sent the packed stadium into raptures and looked set to provide the 39-year-old with a long-awaited piece of silverware in Saudi football.

But Al-Ahli, buoyed by their star-studded lineup, hit back swiftly.

Former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessié restored parity with a crisp strike, punishing slack defending and shifting the momentum back towards the Jeddah side.

Al-Ahli’s composure contrasted sharply with Al-Nassr’s missed spot-kicks, sealing a famous victory and condemning Ronaldo and his teammates to yet another final disappointment.

The club lost 5-3 on penalties with both scoring their first three each. Ronaldo, Brozovic and Felix took the kick in that order for Al-Nassr.

While Al Ahli scored the fourth, Al-Nassri missed and converting the last gave the former the victory.

This was Al-Nassr’s sixth appearance in the final the joint most appearances in the competition while it was only Al-Ahli’s second.

The defeat means Ronaldo has now lost all three finals since joining Al-Nassr — the 2023 Saudi Super Cup, the 2023 King’s Cup, and now the 2025 edition of the Super Cup.

His only trophy so far is the Arab Club Champions Cup (2023) not deemed an official title by FIFA.

Lionel Messi was serenaded by the crowd after being spotted at a Coldplay concert on Sunday.

The Inter Miami star appeared on the big screen alongside his wife Antonela Roccuzzo. The couple were met with applause and chants from the crowd.

Coldplay's 'kiss cam' picked out the couple during their performance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

They were shown on the same screen which produced a recent viral moment involving the CEO of US tech firm Astronomer.

Andy Byron and chief people officer Kristin Cabot have both resigned after they were caught embracing on the kiss cam.

The pair abruptly ducked and hid after being displayed in front of the arena.

There was no such theatrics from Messi and Antonela, though, as they smiled before the Argentine forward waved and laughed.

Their appearance on the big screen prompted the crowd inside the stadium to erupt.

Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin even declared: "The greatest athlete of all-time is here tonight."

Chants of 'Messi! Messi!' then broke out amongst those watching on in Miami.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner had been present after missing his side's MLS match earlier in the day.

Messi served a suspension as Inter Miami played out a goalless draw at home to Cincinnati.