FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Thomas Muller knows exactly what it’s like to go up against Lionel Messi for a trophy.
And he knows what it takes to win in that moment.
The 2025 MLS Cup Final, Messi and Inter Miami vs. Muller and Vancouver Whitecaps, will draw comparisons from a personnel perspective to the 2014 World Cup Final and the 2010 World Cup Quarterfinals between Argentina and Germany.
Germany, led by Muller, won both times. Messi played in these matches for Argentina, as did Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano. They will all meet again in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, but Muller will surely know that facing Messi doesn’t automatically mean a loss.
“It’s not about Messi and Thomas Muller,” he told reporters after the match. Vancouver beat San Diego 3-1 Saturday night’s Western Conference finals. “Miami vs. Whitecaps.”
He added: “Maybe they trust him a little more than me because we’re such a good group.”
What Messi thinks of this matchup – he has faced Muller 10 times in various competitions, but Messi’s side has only won three of them – is a bit of a mystery, and is likely to remain that way. Inter Miami rarely makes Messi available for interviews.
But all that is known is this: Messi came to Inter Miami in the middle of 2023 with the goal of winning the MLS Cup, which seemed far-fetched at the time considering the club was at the bottom of the league when he joined. A win on Saturday will fulfill his quest and cap off the season. Messi also won the MLS Golden Boot He will be the leading scorer and will probably win his second straight league MVP award.
“Even if he is the best of all time… it’s unfair to believe that he will win every match,” Mascherano said after the match. Inter Miami defeats New York City FC 5-1 Saturday night’s Eastern Conference finals. “Everyone’s level has improved.”
The MLS finals are part of a big week for North American soccer.
The draw for next year’s FIFA World Cup men’s tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be held in Washington on Friday, with the first draw also taking place. Awarding the organization’s Peace Prize Many expect the group to present the award to President Donald Trump. (FIFA President Gianni Infantino, when asked a few weeks ago if Trump would win the award, said, “We’ll find out on December 5th.”) MLS appears likely to announce the MVP award this week if its current momentum continues. And college soccer is nearing the championship round. The men’s Division I quarterfinals will be played this weekend, and the women’s Division I College Cup will also begin.
Neither Messi nor Muller need a win on Saturday to complete some kind of validation. Their resumes and legacies were secured long ago. They’re both World Cup winners, they’re both Champions League winners, they’re both Club World Cup winners.
But just like Messi, Muller also came to MLS, joining Vancouver four months ago, looking for a title to add to his list. The opportunity has arrived.
“It’s fun to watch him,” Muller said in an on-site interview on Apple TV after Vancouver’s win on Saturday night. “I feel like Miami is a very strong team. We saw them beat New York in a very strong way. This is a big final. I wanted this final, and here we go. I think it’s great for everyone.”
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AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer
